U.  S   DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

DIVISION  OP  ENTOMOLOGY— BULLETIN  No.  33,  NEW  SEBIE3. 

L.  O.    HOWARD,   Chief  of  Division. 


SOME  INSECTS  INJURIOUS  TO 
VEGETABLE  CROPS. 


A    SERIES    OF    ARTICLES    HEALING    WITH    INSECTS 
OF   TINS    CLASS. 


>   UNDER   'I  K  I.    Ii 


1\   II.  CIIITTKNDKX, 

BTANT  EKTOMOLOG 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE, 

1  9  0  '2 . 


DIVISION  OF  EXTOMoLOGY. 

Entomologist:  L.  0.  Howard. 

First  Assistant  Enlafnotp^st:  C.  L.  Marlatt. 

Assistant  Entomologists:  Th.  Pergande,  F.  H.  Chittenden,  Nathan  Banks. 
Investigators:  E.  A.  Schwarz,  D.  \Y.  Coquillett,  W.  I).  Hunter,  C.  B.  Simpson. 
Apiarian:  Frank  Benton. 
A$si&an£s:  R.  S.  Clifton.  F.  C.  Pratt,  Aug.   Bjtsckj  Otto  Fleidemann,  A.  N.  Caudell, 

J.  Kotinskv. 
Artist:  Miss  L.  Sullivan. 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

DIVISION  OF  ENTOMOLOGY— BULLETIN  No.  33,  NEW  SERIES. 

L.   O.    HOWARD,    Chief  of  Division. 


SOME  INSECTS  INJURIOUS  TO 
VEGETABLE  CROPS. 


A   SERIES    OF    ARTICLES    DEALING    WITH    INSECTS 
OF    THIS    CLASS. 


Prepared  under  thk  Direction  of  the  Entomologist, 
by 

F.  H.  CHITTENDEX, 

Assistant  Entomologist. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT     PRINTING    OFFICE. 

1  9  0  2 . 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


U.  8.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Division  of  Entomology, 
Washington,  J).  C,  April  IS,  1902. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  a  manuscript  containing 
a  large  number  of  accounts  of  insects  injurious  to  vegetable  crops, 
which  have  been  drawn  up,  as  a  result  of  his  investigations,  b/v  Mr. 
F.  H.  Chittenden.  Assistant  Entomologist.  Mr.  Chittenden  has  been 
devoting  himself  assiduously  to  this  work  for  some  years,  and  has 
learned  a  great  deal  that  is  valuable  to  truck  farmers  and  to  economic 
entomologists.  I  recommend  that  this  manuscript  be  published  as 
Bulletin  No.  33,  new  series,  of  this  Division. 

Respectfully,  L.  O.  Howard, 

Entomologist. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 

2 


CONTEXTS. 


Page. 

The  Potato  Stalk  Weevil  i  Trichobaris trinotata  Say).     (Illustrated) 9 

The  Northern  Leaf-footed  Plant-bug  (Leptoglossus  opposUus  Say).     (Illus- 
trated)    18 

The  Carrot  Rust  Fly    (PsUa  rosse  Fab. ) .      (Illustrated ) 26 

The  Carrot  Beetle  (I/igyrua  gibbosus  Dej. ) .      (Illustrated ) 32 

The  Beet  Army  Worm   (Laphygma  exigua  Hbn. ).     (Illustrated) 37 

Notes  (  >n  Wbbworms 46 

The  Garden  Webworm   ( Loxostege  similalis  Guen.).     (Illustrated) 46 

Origin  and   Distribution  of   the  Beet  Webworm    (Loxostege  stidicalis 

Linn. ).     (Illustrated) 47 

The  Imported  Cabbage  Webworm  (Hellula  undalis  Fab. ) 48 

The  Red  Turnip  Beetle  (JEntomoscelis  adonidti  Pall.).     (Illustrated) 49 

The  Cross-striped  Cabbage  Worm  (Pianea  rimosalis  Guen.) .     (Illustrated).  54 

The  Cabbage  Loopeb  (Plusia  brassicse  Riley).     (Illustrated) 60 

A  New  Cabbage  Looper  (Plusia  precationis Guen.).     (Illustrated) 69 

The  Celery  Looper  (Plusia  simplex  Guen.).     (Illustrated) 73 

Notes  on  Dipterous  Leaf-miners  on  Cabbage 75 

The  Imported  Turnip  Leaf-miner  (Scaptomyza  flaveolaMeig.) 75 

The  Native  Cabbage  Leaf-miner  (Scaptomyza  adusta  Loew) 76 

The  Imported  Cabbage  Leak-miner  (Scaptomyza  graminum  Fall.) 76 

The  Native  Clover  Leaf-miner  (Agromyza  diminuta  Walk.) 77 

The  Four-spotted  Cabbage  Flea-beetle  (PhyUotreta  bipustulata  Fab.).     (Il- 
lustrated ) 77 

Miscellaneous  Notes  on  Some  Cabbage  Insects 78 

The  Cabbage  Cdrculio  ( Ceutorhynckus  rapse.  Gyll. ) 78 

The  Seed-Stalk  Weevil  (Ceutorhynckus  quadridens  Panz. ) 79 

Pemph  igus  sp 79 

Wasps  as  Destroyers  of  Cabbage  Worms 79 

The  Cabbage  Root  Maggot  Injurious  to  Celery 80 

Observations   on   Insects   Affecting   Late   Cabbage   and    Similar    Crops. 

(Illustrated) 80 

The  Imported  Cabbage  Butterfly  (Pieris  rapx  Linn. ) 81 

The  Diamond-back  Moth  (  PluteUa  cruciferarum  Zell. ) 81 

The  Harlequin  Cabbage  Bug  (Murgantia  histrionica  Hahn. ) 82 

The  Cabbage  Looper  (Plusia  brassicx  Riley) 83 

The  Cabbage  Plant-louse  (Aphis  brassicae  Linn. ) 83 

The  Seed-corn  Maggot  ( Phorbia fusciceps  Zett.).     (Illustrated) 84 

The  Bean  Leaf-roller  (Eudamus proteus  linn.).     (Illustrated) 92 

The  Pea  Moth  (Semasia  nigricana  Steph. ).     (Illustrated) 96 

The  Bean  Cutworm  ( Ogdoconta  cinereola  Guen. ) .     ( Illustrated ) 98 

3 


4 

rage. 

Notes  on  Insects  Affecting  Beans  and  Peas 100 

The  Gray  Hair-streak  Butterfly  (  Uranotes  [Theela]  melinus  Hbn. ).     (Il- 
lustrated)    101 

The  Bean  Leaf-beetle  ( Cerotoma  trifurcata  Forst. ) 102 

The  Lima-bean  Vine-borer  (Monopt'dota  nubilella  Hulst. ) 102 

Diabrobica  atripennis  Say 103 

The  Mexican  Bean  AVeevil  (Spermophagus  pectoralis  Shp. ) 103 

The  Pea  Weevil  (Bruchus  pisorum  Linn. ) 101 

The  Boll  Worm  or  Corn-ear  Worm  (Heliothis  armiger  Hbn.) 104 

The  Fall  Webworm  ( Hyphantria  cunea  Dru. ) 104 

The  Garden  Flea-hopper  (HdUicus  uhleri  Giard.).     (Illustrated) 105 

Acantkocerus  galeator  Fab 105 

Alydus  eurinus  Say,  and  A.  pilosulus  H.-S 106 

Leaf-hoppers  ( Tettigoniidse  and  Jassidse).     (Illustrated) 107 

The  Bean  Aphis  (Aphis  rumicis  Linn. ) 109 

Wirewokms.     (Illustrated) 109 

Notes  on  Flea-beetles 110 

The  Pale-striped  Flea-beetle  (System  blanda  Mels. ) 110 

The  PvED-headed  Flea-beetle  (Systena  frontalis  Fab.).     (Illustrated)  ..  Ill 

The  Smartweed  Flea-beetle  (Systena  hudsonias  Forst. ) 113 

The  Toothed  Flea-beetle  (  Ch&tocnema  denticulate  111. ) 114 

The  Brassy  Flea-beetle  (Chxtocnema  pulicaria  Mels.).     (Illustrated)  ..  115 

The  Spinach  Flea-beetle  (Disonycha  xanthomelsena  Dalm. ) 116 

The  Eggplant  Flea-beetle  ( Epitrix  fuscula  Cr. ) .     ( Illustrated) 117 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page. 

Fk;.  1.  IHchobaris  trinotata:    beetle,  larva,   pupa,  and  section  of  potato  stalk 

showing  larva  and  papa  wi  situ 10 

2.  Hydroecia  nitela:  moth,  larva,  and  chrysalis 11 

3.  Leptoglossus  oppositus:  bug  and  eggs 20 

4.  Leptoglossus  oppositus:  immature  stages  of  nymphs 21 

5.  THchopoda  pennipes:  mature  fly 25 

6.  Psiia  roses:  adult  fly,  larva,  puparium,  and  details 27 

7.  Ligyrus  gibbosus:  beetle 32 

8.  Laphygma  >  xigua:  moth,  larva,  and  egg 38 

9.  Laphygma  >  xigua:  segment  of  larva 39 

10.  LoxosU  ge  sticticalis:  moth  and  larva 48 

11.  Eniomoscelis  adonidis:  beetle 50 

12.  PUmea  rimosalis:  different  stages 55 

13.  Plusia  bxassicse:  all  stages 61 

14.  Plusia  brassicte:  immature  larva 62 

15.  Plusia precationis:  moth,  larva,  and  pupa 70 

16.  Plusia  simplex:  moth  and  larva 78 

17.  Scaptomyzaflaveola:  different  stages  and  work 75 

is.  Phyllotreta  bipustulata:  beetle 78 

19.  Pkorbia  fusciceps:  different  stages  and  details 85 

20.  Eadamus proteus:  moth,  larva,  and  pupa  in  cocoon 93 

21.  S  masia  nigricana  Bteph. :  moth  and  larva 96 

22.  Epiblema  nigricana:  H.-Smoth 97 

2:>>.  Ogiloconta  cinereola:  moth,  larva,  pupa,  and  work 99 

24.  Uranotes  melinus:  all  stages 102 

25.  1  [alliens  ah/,  /•;.•  sexes,  etc 105 

26.  Diedrocephala  versuta:  adults  and  nymphs 107 

27.  Monocrepidws  vespertinus:  larva  and  adult  110 

28.  Systena  frontalis:  beetle 112 

29.  Chaetocnema  pulicaria:  beetle 115 

30.  Epitrix  fuscula:  beetle 117 

5 


PREFACE. 


The  present  publication  comprises  a  series  of  articles  and  notes 
brought  together  in  bulletin  form  in  continuation  of  work  begun  sev- 
eral years  ago,  the  earlier  results  of  which  were  published  in  Bulletin 
10  of  the  present  series,  in  the  Yearbooks  of  this  Department  for  1896 
and  1898,  and  in  several  circulars  of  this  office.  Bulletin  23  of  this 
series  was  devoted  exclusively  to  the  subject  of  insects  injurious  to 
garden  crops  and  Bulletin  19  mainly  to  the  same  subject.  This  con- 
tribution is  therefore  the  third  bulletin  of  the  series,  and  is  entitled 
''Some  Insects  Injurious  to  Vegetable  Crops." 

The  various  species  of  noxious  insects  discussed  have,  with  few 
exceptions,  been  destructive  during  the  years  1900  and  1901,  but  a  few 
came  under  observation  at  an  earlier  date.  The  work  is  therefore,  to 
a  certain  extent,  a  report  on  the  principal  insects  which  have  been 
injurious  and  whose  ravages  have  been  brought  to  the  attention  of 
this  office  as  affecting  the  vegetable  crops  of  the  country  during  the 
past  two  years.  Circumstances  beyond  the  writer's  control  have  pre- 
vented the  publication  of  this  matter  until  the  present  time. 

The  initial  article  treats  of  the  potato  stalk  weevil,  which  has  been 
very  injurious  for  a  number  of  years  but  has  never  received  extensive 
notice  in  any  of  the  publications  of  this  Department;  hence,  all  avail- 
able facts  concerning  it,  together  with  an  original  illustration,  have 
been  brought  together.  The  Northern  leaf -footed  plant-bug  attracted 
more  attention  during  the  last  two  years  than  ever  before  in  its  his- 
tory, and  its  abundance  in  the  vicinity  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
enabled  a  study  of  its  habits  and  the  practical  completion  of  a  knowl- 
edge of  its  life  history,  the  results  of  which  are  here  given. 

We  have  to  record  the  appearance  of  a  new  insect  enemy  of  carrot, 
celery,  and  some  other  umbelliferous  crops  in  this  country.  The 
insect  in  question,  the  carrot  rust  fly.  has  been  present  in  Canada  since 
1885,  but  was  not  known  as  the  cause  of  injury  to  any  crop  plants  in 
the  United  States  until  the  past  year,  when  it  occasioned  the  ruin,  of 
6,000  plants  of  celery  on  one  farm  in  New  York  State.  The  proba- 
bilities are  that  this  species  will  continue  to  spread  and  that  it  may 
become  an  important  pest;  in  fact,  the  most  serious  drawback  to  the 
cultivation  of  carrot,  parsnip,  celery,  and  other  umbelliferous  crops. 
Another  insect  now  holds  this  distinction.  It  may  be  known  as  the 
(i 


carrot  beetle,  as  it  is  to  carrot  that  it  does  most  injury,  although  pars- 
nip, potato,  and  other  root  crops  and  some  other  cultivated  plants  are 
subject  to  its  depredations.  This  latter  has  been  quite  prominent  in 
recent  years,  and  is  therefore  deserving  of  attention. 

Although  the  beet  army  worm  has  been  destructive  since  1899,  there 
are  some  facts  that  have  been  learned  in  regard  to  it  and  its  distribu- 
tion and  origin  that  have  not  been  recorded.  Since  sugar-beet  grow- 
ing  is  just  now  engrossing  the  attention  of  legislators  and  farmers  in 
many  sections  of  the  country,  it  seems  appropriate  that  as  complete 
an  article  as  possible  in  regard  to  this,  one  of  the  most  important 
enemies  of  beets,  be  published.  Three  species  of  webworms,  one  of 
them  more  particularly  destructive  to  the  sugar  beet,  the  second  an 
introduced  and  important  enemy  of  cruciferous  crops  in  the  South,  and 
the  garden  web  worm,  a  species  of  omnivorous  habits,  have  also  been 
the  occasion  of  considerable  correspondence. 

Several  species  of  insects  injurious  to  cruciferous  crops  have  been 
under  observation.  Hitherto  no  account  of  the  red  turnip  beetle 
has  appeared  in  Departmental  publications:  hence,  an  account  based 
on  injuries  in  the  Northwest  is  presented.  The  insect  is  more  par- 
ticularly destructive  in  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  but  also  inhabits 
the  United  State-,  and  it  seems  probable  that  injuries  will  increase 
with  time.  This  species  is  related  to  the  Colorado  potato  beetle,  and 
at  any  time  an  outbreak  may  be  apprehended.  The  cabbage  looper.  a 
common  pest  throughout  the  South,  and  frequently  making  its  appear- 
ance a-  far  northward  as  Long  Island  in  destructive  numbers,  has. 
after  an  almost  complete  disappearance,  returned  to  the  more  northern 
points  which  it  had  previously  invaded.  It  is  considered  in  connec- 
tion with  two  related  species,  one  of  which  is  new  as  an  enemy  of  cab- 
bage, and  the  other  known  as  the  celery  looper.  The  cross-striped 
cabbage  worm,  or  so-called  "cabbage  Pionea."  has  a  similar  distribu- 
tion to  the  common  cabbage  looper.  and  an  account  of  it  i-  also  given. 
Some  shorter  notes  are  presented  in  regard  to  some  cabbage  insects 
whose  habits  have  not  been  thoroughly  studied,  as  well  as  some 
observations  on  insects  affecting  late  cabbage  and  similar  crops,  the 
latter  article  forming  the  basis  for  an  appeal  for  clean  farming. 

A  number  of  insects  injurious  to  beans  and  other  leguminous  crops 
have  been  prominent  during  recent  years,  and  four  of  these,  the  seed- 
corn  maggot,  the  bean  leaf-roller,  the  pea  moth,  and  the  bean  cut- 
worm, are  the  subjects  of  articles.  The  remaining  species  are  treated 
in  an  article  comprising  many  subjects.  It  should  be  mentioned  at 
this  point  that  the  destructive  green  pea  louse  continued  its  ravages 
during  1900,  extending  its  depredations  in  the  West  particularly:  but 
as  this  species  has  been  given  much  attention  by  entomologists  in 
Delaware  and  Maryland,  the  writer's  notes  are  withheld.  What  there 
was  that  seemed  desirable  for  early  publication  was  brought  out  in  the 


8 

form  of  a  circular.     It  should  be  added,  however,  that  injury  during 
1901  was  very  light,  although  some  damage  was  done  over  small  areas. 

The  season  of  1900  was  rather  remarkable  for  irruptions  of  different 
forms  of  flea-beetles  in  various  portions  of  our  country,  several  species 
doing  very  considerable  damage,  in  some  cases  unprecedented. 

Assistance  has  been  rendered  in  the  preparation  of  this  bulletin  by 
the  writers  associates,  which  is  duly  credited  in  its  proper  place:  but 
it  should  be  especially  mentioned  that  Mr.  F.  C.  Pratt  assisted  in  the 
collation  of  the  literature  of  many  of  the  species  treated.  Credit  is  also 
due  to  Mr.  Th.  Pergande  for  some  of  the  notes,  and  particularly  the 
rearings  made  in  earlier  years,  nearly  all  of  those  of  a  later  date  hav- 
ing been  conducted  by  the  writer.  Twenty-six  of  the  figures  which 
illustrate  this  bulletin  have  been  drawn  by  Miss  Lillie  Sullivan,  under 
the  writers  personal  supervision,  from  selected  and  fresh  material 
wherever  this  was  obtainable. 

F.  H.  Chittenden. 


SOME  INSECTS   INJURIOUS  TO  VEGETABLE 

CROPS. 


THE  POTATO  STALK  WEEVIL. 
(Trichobaria  trvnotata  Say.) 

One  of  the  important  insect  enemies  of  the  potato,  and  a  common 
species  almost  everywhere  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  south  of 
New  England,  is  a  little  gray  weevil,  whose  larva  works  normally  in 
the  stems  of  wild  Solanaceffi,  such  as  horse  nettle,  ground  cherry,  and 
jimson  weed,  in  most  fields  where  these  plants  are  allowed  to  grow. 

The  habits  of  this  insect  and  its  manner  of  attacking  potato  have 
been  known  for  half  a  century,  the  first  instance  of  injury  having  been 
noticed  in  1849  near  Philadelphia.  Pa.  Since  that  time  the  injuries 
inflicted  by  it  to  potato  have  attracted  considerable  attention,  periodi- 
cally and  locally,  especially  during  the  last  decade,  and  there  is  reason 
to  believe  that  it  is  often  present  and  doing  damage,  though  unde- 
tected, in  potato  fields,  where  the  insect  itself  has  never  been  seen. 
Its  habit  of  living  within  the  stem  in  its  larval  condition,  and  the 
small  size  of  the  beetles,  together  with  their  habit  of  dropping  from 
the  plants  when  disturbed,  is  accountable  for  injury  by  the  species  so 
often  escaping  notice.  Hence  it  happens  that,  although  a  pest  of 
long  standing,  the  insect  is  unknown  to  many  potato  growers. 

During  1900  this  species  was  reported  to  have  done  injury  near 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  South  Holland,  111.,  and  to  have  been  quite 
prevalent  in  Maryland  on  potato;  but  injury  was  without  doubt  much 
more  extensive  than  reported.  In  1901  the  potato  crop  of  Sheridan 
County,  Nebr.,  was  nearly  ruined  by  this  insect,  and  it  made  its  initial 
appearance  in  Canada,  doing  much  damage  on  Pelee  Island. 

In  earlier  years  more  or  less  damage  to  the  potato  crop  was  com- 
mitted in  other  portions  of  Nebraska,  Illinois,  Pennsylvania,  and 
Maryland,  as  well  as  in  Kansas. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Theheetle. — The  adult  potato  stalk  weevil  is  a  small  ash-gray  weevil. 
or  snout-beetle,  of  the  family  Curculionida?.  Its  real  color  is  black 
throughout,  but  its  surface  is  covered  with  minute  gray  scales,  which 
give  it  a  nearly  uniform  gray  appearance.     The  head,  however,  appears 

9 


10 


^^s^^^^^ 


black,  and  there  are  three  black  impressed  spots  at  the  base  of  the 
elytra  or  wing-  covers — one  scutellar  and  two  lateral — from  which  the 
insect  has  derived  its  Latin  name,  trinotata.  The  rostrum  or  snout  is 
robust  and  rather  strongly  curved,  and  the  antennae,  like  those  of  other 
Curculionids,  are  elbowed  and  clubbed  at  the  ends.  The  body  is  oval 
and  somewhat  depressed  or  flattened  above.  The  male  is  credited  with 
being  generally  larger  than  the  female — something  rather  unusual  in 
insects.     The  length  is  about  one-sixth  of  an  inch  (3  to  4.5nim)  and  the 

width  less  than  half  that  (1.2  to  1.75mm). 
The  beetle  is  shown  in  the  accompanying 
illustration  (tig.  1,  a). 

The  egg  is  of  the  usual  white  color  and 
oval  form  seen  among  the  Rhjmchophora, 
and,  according  to  the  measurements  of 
Faville  and  Parrott,  is  about  0.6mm  in 
length  and  0.4mm  in  width. 

The  larva,  or  grub,  as  it  appears  when 
first  hatched  from  the  egg,  does  not  ap- 
pear to  have  been  described.  It  is,  how- 
ever, whitish  at  this  stage,  and  without 
feet.  When  full  grown  it  is  remarkably 
elongate  in  form,  about  eight  or  nine 
times  as  long  as  wide,  with  small  circular 
pale-brown  head,  the  whole  having  the 
appearance  shown  at  b  (fig.  1).  It  reaches 
a  length  of  about  two-fifths  of  an  inch 
(9  to  llmm),  and  is  only  moderately  curved  when  in  natural  position  in 
the  stems.  Instead  of  legs  these  larva?  are  provided  with  feebly  defined 
thoracic  leg  pads.  The  color  at  this,  as  in  the  pupal  condition,  varies 
from  nearly  white  to  rather  bright  yellow,  the  color  in  one  instance, 
in  an  individual  taken  from  the  root  stem  of  Solatium  carolinensis, 
being  of  a  decidedly  rosy  or  light  pinkish  hue. 

The  pupa  looks  like  that  of  other  weevils,  and  presents  no  very 
noticeable  features  for  description.  A  ventral  view  of  a  pupa  is  shown 
at  c  (fig.  1).  At  d  a  larva  and  pupa  are  figured  natural  size  within  an 
opened  stalk  of  potato. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

The  potato  stalk  weevil  is  rather  generally  distributed  throughout 
the  Carolinian  and  Austro riparian  regions.  Northward  the  limit  of 
injurious  occurrence  was  reached  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  in 
the  East,  and  in  Illinois  and  Iowa  in  the  West;  recently,  however,  the 
species  has  become  a  pest  in  Canada.  Southward  the  insect  is  found 
to  Florida  and  westward  to  Texas.     A  list  of  localities  follows: 

Titusville,  Little  Silver,  Freehold,  Hopewell,  New  Brunswick,  and  Trenton,  N.  J.; 
Yorkana,  Germantown,  Westchester,  Pawling,  Philadelphia,  Allegheny,  and  Pitts- 


Fig.  1. — Trichdbaris  trinotata:  a,  beetle; 
b,  larva  from  side;  c,  pupa;  (/,  section 
of  potato  stalk  opened  to  show  larva 
and  pupa  in  situ— a,  b,  c,  five  times 
natural  size,  d,  natural  size  (original.) 


11 

ville,  Pa.;  Newark,  Del.;  Belair,  River  View,  Cabin  John,  Marshall  Hall,  Green- 
wood, and  Baltimore,  and  Howard,  Washington,  and  Montgomery  counties,  Md. 
(Johnson) ;  Rosslyn  and  Deep  Creek,  Va. ;  District  of  Columbia;  Xorth  Carolina;  South 
Carolina;  Kentucky;  Wayne,  Cobden,  Anna,  Carbondale,  and  Normal,  111.;  Kansas 
City,  Kirkwood,  and  Cadet,  Mo.;  Fort  Scott,  Onega,  Wilder,  Topeka,  Fairmount, 
Edwardsville,  Manhattan,  Lawrence,  and  Connor,  Kans.,  well  distributed  over  the 
eastern  part  of  the  State;  Ames,  Adel,  Davenport  and  Marcus,  and  Polk  and  Boone 
counties,  Iowa;  Omaha,  Albany,  and  elsewhere  in  Nebraska;  Cincinnati,  Aberdeen, 
and  Gallipolis,  Ohio;  Detriot,  Mich.;  Key  West  and  Jacksonville,  Fla.;  St.  Anthony 
Park,  Minn.  (Lugger);  and  Pelee  Island,  Canada. 

Note. — In  the  southwest  this  species  is  replaced  by  a  few  others  of  the  same  genus 
and  of  very  similar  appearance  and  habits,  but  not  injurious  to  the  same  extent.  One 
of  these,  T.  mucorea  Lee,  is  common  in  Arizona  and  southern  California;  and  T.  texana 
Lee.  is  a  well-known  form  in  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Colorado. 


Fig.  2.— Hydrcecia  nitela:  a,  female  moth;  h.  half-grown  larva:  e,  mature  larva  in  injured   stalk; 
d,  lateral  view  of  abdominal  segment  of  same;  < .  pupa— all  somewhat  enlarged  (original). 

T.  compacta  Casey,  according  to  Cockerell,  breeds  in  Datura  meteloides,  and  is 
common  in  the  Mesilla  Valley  of  New  Mexico.  It  has  not  been  reported  to  damage 
potato,  perhaps  because  this  vegetable  is  not  much  grown  in  that  State.  Without 
doubt  all  the  species  of  Trichobaris  feed  on  Solanacese. 

The  potato  stalk  weevil  is  also  known  as  potato  stalk  borer,  and  several  other 
species  of  insects,  the  larvae  of  moths  resembling  those  which  produce  cutworms, 
are  sometimes  known  by  the  same  name.  The  most  common  species  (in  literature) 
is  Hydrcecia  (Gorlyna)  nitela,  known  as  the  stalk  borer,  heart  worm.  etc.  An  equally 
common  species  in  some  localities  which  has  practically  the  same  habits  is  known  as 
Hydrcecia  nebris  Guen. 

Even  as  late  as  1897  Hydrcecia  nitela  was  referred  to  as  the  potato  stalk  borer,  and 
as  doing  injury  to  potatoes  in  western  Maine,  damage  being  due  to  the  larva's  boring 
into  the  pith  of  potato  stalks,  causing  them  to  wilt.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  although 
the  stalk  weevil  and  the  stalk  borers  are  entirely  different,  belonging  to  different 
groups,  they  do  injury  in  a  similar  manner,  and  are  therefore  apt  to  be  confused 
by  those  not  thoroughly  conversant  with  them.     We  present  a  figure  of  the  species 


12 

of  stalk  borer  under  consideration  which  will  serve  as  a  fair  sample  of  this  group. 
The  moth  (fig.  2,  a)  is  medium  brown  in  color,  and  marked  as  shown.  The  young 
larva  is  quite  peculiar  in  having  the  first  three  or  four  abdominal  segments  suffused 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  the  insect  the  appearance  of  being  diseased  (see  b).  The 
larva  when  mature  has  more  or  less  the  appearance  shown  at  c,  which,  however,  will 
answer  almost  equally  well  for  other  species  of  the  genus.  Careful  comparative  study 
is  necessary  in  order  to  establish  the  differences  between  these  species  in  their  larval 
stages.  An  abdominal  segment  of  Hydrcecia  nitela  in  the  larval  stage  is  shown  at  d 
(fig.  2),  while  at  e  is  shown  the  female  pupa  or  chrysalis.  This  insect  was  reported 
during  1901,  by  Mr.  F.  M.Webster,  as  having  done  much  injury  to  wheat  and  carnations 
in  portions  of  Ohio.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  several  other  species  are  undoubtedly 
confused  with  this  insect  because  of  their  great  similarity  in  the  larval  stages.  The 
writer,  as  well  as  Mr.  Pergande,  of  this  office,  has  reared  the  moth  from  the  stalks  of 
common  pigweed  (Ambrosia  trifida),  and  there  is  no  doubt  of  Harris's  record  of  injury 
by  this  species  to  corn.  It  is  credited  with  having  done  injury  to  the  stalks  of  tomato, 
spinach,  cauliflower,  eggplant,  pepper,  dahlia,  aster,  lily,  spiraea,  salvia,  thistle, 
milkweed,  pigweed,  ragweed,  smartweed,  cocklebur,  and  castor  bean;  and  to  the 
twigs  of  blackberry,  currant,  apple,  and  peach,  as  well  as  to  wheat  and  corn. 

RECENT    INJURY. 

During  1897  Messrs.  Kirkpatrick  &  Son,  Connor,  Wyandotte 
County,  Kans.,  sent  specimens  of  the  larvae  of  this  weevil  in  potato 
stems,  writing  July  2  that  about  one- fourth  of  the  vines  at  that  place 
were  affected,  and  other  fields  looked  to  be  over  half  destroyed. 
Larvae  were  found  in  vines  that  looked  to  be  perfectly  healthy.  To 
find  the  insects  it  was  necessary  to  pull  the  vine  and  split  it  open. 
September  8  of  the  same  year  specimens  of  this  species  were  received 
from  Mr.  George  W.  Pickering,  Wayne,  Du  Page  Count}%  111.,  with 
the  statement  that  they  had  been  found  inside  the  stalks  of  potato. 

In  1898  Mr.  Pickering  again  sent  specimens,  July  5  and  30,  of  larvae 
in  the  stalks.  Some  presented  foliage  partly  dead,  while  others  which 
were  also  inhabited  by  this  insect  showed  no  evidence  of  infestation. 
Some  hills  of  potato  yielded  but  few  tubers,  while  others  contained 
a  normal  yield.  It  was  noted  that  the  infested  stalks  generally  pull 
easily  and  break  off  just  below  the  surface.  They  appeared  rather 
rusty  as  a  rule,  and  some  had  what  appeared  to  be  a  fungus-like 
excrescence  at  the  bottom  of  the  stalk. 

During  1900  Mr.  Samuel  Carter,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  sent  larvae 
within  the  stalks  of  potato,  with  accompanying  information,  under  date 
of  August  15,  that  this  species  infested  the  whole  potato  crop  of  that 
vicinity.  He  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  crop  was  an  entire  failure, 
the  yield  being  just  about  one-eighth  of  what  it  should  have  been. 

During  1901  a  single  report  of  injury  by  this  potato  stalk  weevil 
reached  this  office.  This  was  made  in  December  by  Mr.  James  Egan, 
Albany,  Nebr.,  who  stated  that  the  potato  crop  in  Sheridan  County 
had  been  nearly  ruined  by  this  insect.  Mr.  G.  W.  Pickering,  who 
reported  injuries  in  Illinois  in  1897  and  1898,  stated  that  since  that 


13 

time  the  insect  had  done  no  damage,  although  he  had  looked  for  injury 
in  his  vicinity.  A  gentleman  of  his  acquaintance,  who  had  raised  potatoes 
in  one  of  the  potato  districts  of  Pennsylvania,  said  that  this  species, 
as  a  rule,  had  little  effect  on  the  general  crop  there.  Mr.  H.  M. 
Kirkpatrick,  who  reported  injury  in  1897,  stated  that  no  further  dam- 
age had  been  noticed  in  Wyandotte  County,  Kans. 

From  Mr.  Edwin  Taylor,  Edwardsville,  Kans.,  was  received  infor- 
mation that  this  species  had  been  present  in  that  vicinity  for  a  good 
many  years,  but  that  it  had  never  injured  the  potato  crop  seriously. 
Writing  December  23,  1901,  he  stated  that  this  insect  was  less  observed 
that  year  than  usual. 

From  the  above  and  other  sources  of  information  it  would  seem 
that  this  species  is  unusually  periodical,  and  injuries  are  generally  to  be 
attributed  to  the  growth  of  potatoes  on  or  in  the  vicinity  of  land  that 
has  been  permitted  to  run  to  Solanaceous  weeds,  nearly  all  of  Avhich 
furnish  food  for  the  potato  stalk  weevil.  A  list  of  these  will  be  fur- 
nished later  on  in  the  present  article. 

EARLIER   DIVISIONAL   RECORDS. 

August  1,  1884,  vines  containing  this  larva  were  received  from  Mr. 
Richard  B.  Taylor,  Westchester.  Pa.. with  the  statement  that  this  borer 
had  destroyed  two-thirds  of  his  potato  crop  (Ann.  Rept.  Com.  Agr. 
for  1881,  p.  111).  September  6, 1892,  Miss  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt  reported 
the  rearing  of  this  curculio  from  Solarium  <-<ir<)Ihirii.se  at  Kirkwood, 
Mo.  (Insect  Life,  Vol.  V,  p.  135).  July  20,  1893,  larvae  of  this  species 
were  received  from  Mr.  H.  Still,  Deep  Creek.  Va.,  found  boring  in 
the  stems  of  eggplant,  with  the  statement  that  the  plants  were  dying 
by  the  hundreds  daily.  August  5,  1895.  Mr.  W.  T.  L.  Taliaferro, 
Belair,  Md.,  sent  larva1  in  stalks  of  potato.  August  26,  1896,  we 
received  larva1  and  sections  of  potato  stalks  killed  fry  this  species 
from  Mr.  G.  C.  Brown,  Yorkana,  Pa.,  who  stated  that  the  insect 
was  new  to  that  locality  so  far  as  injuries  were  concerned.  A  few 
other  records  of  injury  have  been  published  in  the  columns  of  Insect 
Life  and  in  bulletins  of  the  Division  of  Entomology. 

LITERATURE    AND    HISTORY    OF   THE    SPECIES. 

The  potato  stalk  weevil  was  first  described  as  Baridms  trinotatus, 
in  1831,  by  Thomas  Say  (Descr.  N.  Am.  Curculionides,  etc.,  p.  18). 

In  the  year  1819  this  insect  attracted  some  attention  by  its  ravages 
in  the  vicinity  of  Germantown,  Pa.,  and  Camden,  N.  J.,  as  related  by 
Miss  M.  H.  Morris,  in  a  communication  published  in  the  American 
Agriculturist  of  the  following  year  (April,  1850,  Vol.  IX,  pp.  113, 
111).  The  account  in  question,  which  is  the  first  that  was  published 
concerning  this  insect,  is  headed  %iThe  Potato  Curculio,"  and  is  erro- 
neous in  some  particulars,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  disease  known  as 


14 

potato  rot  was  attributed  to  this  insect,  on  which  assumption  it  was 
stated  that  the  ravages  of  the  weevil  were  traced  from  Mexico  to 
Maine.  The  description  of  the  egg  and  oviposition  is  wrong,  the  eggs 
being  described  as  bright  red  instead  of  white  in  color.  During  the 
same  year  Harris  published  in  the  New  England  Farmer  (June  22, 
1850,  n.  s.,  Vol.  II,  p.  204)  a  short  account  of  this  species,  quoting 
freely  from  Miss  Morris,  entering  somewhat  into  detail  to  show  that 
it  was  probably  not  the  cause  of  the  disease  of  potato.  Harris  is  cred- 
ited with  publishing  two  more  accounts  of  this  species  in  the  next 
year,  but  they  appeared  in  popular  publications,  now  inaccessible, 
which  is  true  of  a  large  proportion  of  accounts  of  this  insect  published 
by  other  persons.  The  writer  has  references  to  about  60  communi- 
cations in  regard  to  this  weevil,  for  the  most  part  short  notices  of  injury 
and  brief  general  accounts,  usually  compiled,  and  containing  nothing 
original  or  of  value  otherwise.  For  this  reason  mention  will  be  omitted 
of  many  of  them.  In  Harris's  Insects  Injurious  to  Vegetation  a  brief 
popular  account  is  given,  based  as  before  on  Miss  Morris's  writings. 
A  short  general  account  was  published  by  Walsh  and  Riley  in  1868 
(Am.  Ent. .  Vol.  1.  p.  22).  with  illustrations  of  the  insect  in  three  stages, 
and  a  similar  account  by  Riley,  followed  in  his  First  Missouri  Report, 
published  in  1869  (pp.  94,  95),  with  mention  of  the  insect's  injurious 
occurrence  in  Missouri  the  previous  year. 

Several  accounts  of  little  consequence  followed  during  succeeding 
years  until  1890.  During  that  year  the  insect  became  troublesome  in 
the  State  of  Iowa,  and  was  the  subject  of  study  by  Prof.  C.  P.  Gillette 
(Bui.  11.  Iowa  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  pp.  490-492).  In  this  account  it  is 
stated  that  this  weevil  was  one  of  the  worst  insect  pests  of  the  season, 
and  the  estimate  was  made  that  half  a  mill  ion  of  dollars  would  prob- 
ably fall  far  short  of  making  good  the  loss  that  it  occasioned  to  the 
potato  crop  in  the  State  of  IowTa  alone.  Two  years  later  the  insect 
was  again  very  injurious  in  Iowa,  as  reported  by  F.  A.  Sirrine  (Bui. 
19,  Iowa  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  pp.  589-594).  Considerable  is  added  to  our 
knowledge  of  the  insect  and  its  wild  food  plants  in  this  last  account. 
In  1893  it  was  reported  to  be  injurious  in  Virginia,  New  Jersey,  Iowa, 
and  Ohio.  In  1894  this  weevil  is  mentioned  by  R.  C.  Schiedt  (Report 
Penna.  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  1894,  p.  194)  as  one  of  the  worst 
insect  pests  of  that  year  in  Pennsylvania.  The  same  year  it  attracted 
attention  by  its  ravages  in  New  Jersey,  and  was  studied  by  Prof. 
J.  B.  Smith,  the  result  taking  form  in  an  eight-page  article  pub- 
lished originally  in  Bulletin  109,  New  Jersey  Agricultural  College 
Experiment  Station  (pp.  25-32).  This  account  includes  three  original 
illustrations.  The  following  year  this  weevil  was  even  more  wide- 
spread in  New  Jersey  than  in  1894  (Annual  Report  N.  J.  Agr.  Col. 
Exp.  Sta.  for  1895,  p.  390). 

During  1896  the  potato  stalk  weevil  was  quite  troublesome  in  Mary- 


15 

land,  and  was  briefly  reported  by  Prof.  W.  G.  Johnson  (Bui.  57.  Md. 
Agric.  Exp.  Station,  p.  5).  During  that  year  serious  damage  was 
done  to  the  potato  crop  in  Kansas,  with  the  result  that  the  insect 
was  given  special  study  by  Messrs.  Faville  and  Parrott  in  a  12-page 

leaflet  (Bui.  82,  Kansas  State  Agric.  College  Exp.  Station).  This 
is  a  very  full  account  and  includes  15  illustrations.  A  short  summary 
of  this  article  was  published  as  Press  Bulletin  19  in  December,  1898, 
and  republished  in  Bulletin  86  (pp.  35-37).  Injury  was  also  inflicted 
the  same  year  in  Pennsylvania,  complaint  having  been  made  at  Pawling, 
in  the  vicinity  of  which  place  infestation  was  stated  to  have  been 
evidently  quite  general  (2d  An.  Kept.  Pa.  Dept.  Agr.  for  1896  [1897], 
pp.  361-3(33). 

In  1897  the  potato  stalk  weevil  was  reported  as  doing  much  injury 
in  Baltimore  County.  Md.  (Bui.  '.'.  n.  s..  p.  81). 

In  the  Rural  New  Yorker  for  August  27,  L898,  correspondence  is 
published,  with  answer  by  Mr.  Slingerland.  concerning  the  occur- 
rence of  this  species  in  potato  vines  at  Pittsville.  Pa.,  that  year. 
Owing  to  its  extensive  depredations  in  the  potato  fields  in  northeast- 
ern Maryland,  especially  in  Harford  County,  during  L898,  an  account 
by  Prof.  E.  Dwight  Sanderson  was  published  in  the  National  Stock- 
man and  Fanner  for  December  8,  L898. 

During  1899  no  reports  of  injury  came  to  the  writer's  attention. 
Moreover,  the  species  was  rare  wherever  Bought  for  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Distrit  of  Columbia. 

In  the  Rural  New  Yorker  for  August  11.  1900  (p.  5-14),  a  short  note 
is  published  on  the  occurrence  of  this  species  at  South  Holland.  111., 
where  it  had  injured  nearly  every  stem  of  potatoes,  destroying  about 
half  the  crop.      An  answer  by  Mr.  Slingerland  accompanied  this  note. 

In  Dr.  Fletcher's  report  as  entomologist  and  botanist  for  the 
experimental  farms  of  Canada  (p.  234.  1902),  he  makes  mention  of 
the  occurrence  of  this  species  for  the  first  time  as  a  Canadian  insect. 
The  report  is  on  the  authority  of  Professor  Lochhead.  and  is  in  brief 
that  many  vines  were  completely  destroyed  by  the  potato  stalk  weevil, 
present  in  all  stages  in  September,  at  Pelee  Island.  It  was  stated 
that  the  island  exported  30,000  bushels  of  potatoes  the  previous  year, 
but  in  19»»1  it  would  have  no  more  than  enough  for  its  own  consump- 
tion and  none  to  spare.  This  report  is  followed  by  a  short  general 
account  of  the  insect,  with  remedies. 

NATURE    OF    INJURY;    FOOD    PLANTS. 

Frequently,  more  often  perhaps  than  not.  injury  by  this  potato 
pest  is  attributed  to  drought  or  blight.  It  is  more  conspicuous  in  sea- 
sons of  prolonged  drought  and  most  severe  on  early  varieties  of  potato. 
The  undermining  of  the  stalks  of  potato  by  the  larva?  causes  them  to 
wilt,  and  the  wilting  and  the  dying  of  the  leaves  is  the  first  and  only 


16 

outward  manifestation  of  attack.  When  the  insects  are  present  in  the 
field  it  is  often  stated  that  the  plants  are  "blighted."  The  diseases 
of  potato,  particularly  one  caused  by  bacteria,  are  apt  also  to  be  mis- 
taken for  the  work  of  the  weevil,  as  in  both  cases  the  leaves  look  as 
if  sunburned,  particularly  after  the  vines  have  been  affected  for  some 
time.  Not  infrequently  the  field  will  be  found  to  suffer  from  the  com- 
bined effects  of  dry  weather,  disease,  and  stalk  weevil.  To  detect  the 
presence  of  the  weevil  it  is  only  necessary  to  cut  open  the  infested 
stalks,  when  the  insect  will  be  found  in  some  stage  in  the  pith.  The 
weevil's  presence  is  generally  shown  first  in  the  withering  of  the  lower 
branches,  but  in  dry,  hot  weather  the  whole  plant  ma}r  be  affected. 

The  beetles  feed  on  the  leaves  of  potato  and  other  Solanacese,  but 
do  no  appreciable  injury  in  this  stage. 

This  insect  attacks,  in  addition  to  potato,  nearly  all  of  the  Solanacese 
growing  wild  within  its  natural  range.  The  list  of  food  plants  includes, 
besides  potato,  eggplant  {Solanum  melongena),  horse  nettle  (S.  caro- 
linense),  bull  nettle  (S.  rostratum),  jimson  weed  {Datura  stramonium)^ 
purple  thorn  apple  (D.  tatula),  ground  cherry  {Physalis  longifolia, 
philadelphica,  lanceolata,  het^ophyUa^  and  virginiana  var.  amhigua). 
According  to  Faville  and  Parrott  this  insect  also  attacks  cocklebur 
(Xanthium  canadense).     Tobacco  and  tomato  appear  exempt. 

The  presence  of  a  single  larva  in  a  potato  stalk  is  not  sufficient  to 
injure  it  to  any  extent,  although  it  must  have  a  weakening  effect,  but 
when  many  larvae  occur  in  the  same  stalk  destruction  is  complete.  As 
many  as  5  or  6  individuals  may  sometimes  be  found  in  a  potato  stalk, 
and  8  have  been  observed  in  the  stems  of  a  ground-cherry  plant. 

LIFE    HISTORY. 

The  beetles  have  been  observed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  as  early  as  Ma}^  20  on  wild  Solanum  and  Datura,  which  at 
that  time  were  only  2  or  3  inches  high.  It  seems  probable  that  the 
beetles  seldom  put  in  an  appearance  earlier  than  the  middle  of  Ma}r, 
as  the  plants  are  scarcely  far  enough  advanced  before  that  time  for 
food.  Pairing  was  noticed  a  few  days  afterwards,  and  oviposition 
probably  begins  normally  before  the  end  of  the  month  of  May,  although 
farther  north  it  does  not  commence  until  June.  The  female  weevil 
deposits  her  eggs  singly,  in  small  slits  or  holes  about  one-twelfth  of  an 
inch  in  length,  made  in  the  stalks  of  the  insect's  food  plants  and  occa- 
sionally in  the  branches.  In  about  a  week  or  ten  days,  according  to 
temperature,  the  larva  hatches  from  the  egg  and  begins  to  feed  by 
making  small  channels,  which  increase  in  size  with  the  growth  of  the 
insect,  downward  toward  the  bases  of  the  stalks.  After  working  down- 
ward for  a  distance — usually  to  the  roots — the  larva  turns  about  and 
begins  the  enlargement  of  the  old  channel  for  a  portion  of  the  way 
upward.     The  undermining  of  a  stalk  by  the  tunneling  of  several 


17 

larvae  has  the  effect  of  impairing  the  vitality  of  the  plant  and  causing 
the  leaves  to  wilt  and  die.  Upon  attaining  full  growth  the  larva 
makes  a  cell  of  castings  and  woody  fibers  in  which  to  transform  to 
pupa  and  ultimately  to  adult.  The  pupal  stage  varies  from  eight  to 
eleven  days,  according  to  temperature.  In  the  District  of  Columbia 
the  pupal  period  was  passed  in  nine  days  in  warm  August  weather; 
larva?  have  been  noted  to  obtain  full  growth  by  the  second  week  of 
July,  and  imagos  of  the  new  generation  have  appeared  as  early  as 
July  24.  In  more  northern  localities  development  is  slower,  the 
beetles  seldom  appearing  before  August  and  maturing  as  late  as  Sep- 
tember. The  pupal  cells  may  be  constructed  in  any  portion  of  the 
stem,  but  are  preferably  placed  near  the  roots,  where  the  stalk  is 
firmest  and  where  the  beetles  will  be  best  protected  during  their  hiber- 
nation. All  beetles  mature  b}T  September  and  hibernation  is  there- 
fore always  as  a  beetle,  and  the  knowledge  of  this  fact  is  of  value  in 
the  control  of  the  species,  as  will  presently  be  fully  explained. 

NATURAL   ENEMIES. 

The  potato  stalk  weevil  is  subject  to  the  attack  of  a  small  dark- col- 
ored four-winged  parasite  fly  known  as  Siglaphus  eurculionis  Fitch,  a 
well-known  hymenopterous  enemy  of  the  plum  curculio.  A  species  of 
chalcis  fly  was  reared  at  this  office  from  material  received  in  1896  from 
Yorkana,  Pa.  The  larvae,  according  to  Professor  Gillette  (Insect  Life, 
Vol.  Ill,  p.  247),  sometimes  fall  a  prey  to  wire  worms.  Messrs.  Kirk- 
patrick  &  Son,  previously  mentioned  in  connection  with  recent  injury, 
sent  the  larva  of  Lh^asterivs  amabiMs  July  2,  1897,  with  the  statement 
that  several  of  these  wireworms  were  noticed  in  the  stems  of  potato 
that  had  been  infested  by  the  weevil. 

REMEDIES. 

The  potato  stalk  weevil  is  not  a  difficult  insect  to  deal  with.  About 
the  only  remedy  that  is  necessary  is  to  pull  up  infested  vines  as  soon 
as  they  commence  to  wilt  and  show  evidence  of  attack,  and  spread 
them  out  so  that  they  will  be  exposed  to  the  sun  and  will  dry  and  thus 
prevent  the  escape  of  the  insects  which  they  contain.  Then  all  stalks 
in  infested  fields  should  be  burned  as  soon  as  the  crop  is  off.  By  thus 
destroying  the  weevils  the  crop  of  insects  for  another  year  will  be 
greatly  lessened.  In  connection  with  this  remedy  it  is  also  advisable 
to  keep  down  all  Solanaceous  weeds  which  serve  as  breeding  places  for 
this  and  other  insects  and  are  therefore  a  standing  menace  to  the  culture 
of  potatoes.  The  time  for  the  destruction  of  the  weeds  is  in  July, 
after  they  have  attracted  the  hibernated  beetles  to  them  for  egg  laying, 
or  any  time  thereafter  before  the  seeds  are  ripe.  For  perfect  success 
in  this  treatment  of  potato  fields,  the  cooperation  of  neighboring  farmers 
is  essential. 

23987— No.  33—02 2 


18 

A  liberal  use  of  fertilizers  in  an  infested  field  will  often  aid  the 
injured  plants  to  recuperate  from  insect  attack.  Unfortunately,  injury 
is  not  apt  to  be  detected  until  it  is  far  advanced  and  the  plants  begin 
to  die.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  a  plant  shows  weakness  its  stalk  should 
be  split  open  to  ascertain  the  cause. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  early  potatoes  are  more  subject  to 
injury  than  later  ones,  and  that  the  latest  varieties  are  practically 
exempt  from  injury. 

THE  NORTHERN  LEAF-FOOTED  PLANT-BUG. 
{Leptoglossus  oppositus  Say.) 

During  the  season  of  1900  this  injurious  species  of  plant-bug  occurred 
in  great  abundance  in  and  about  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  was 
also  reported  to  be  troublesome  in  Arkansas,  Missouri,  and  Oklahoma. 
After  the  publication  of  the  writer's  first  article  on  this  insect  (Bul- 
letin Xo.  19.  n.  s.,  pp.  11-16).  it  was  brought  to  his  attention,  first  by 
correspondence  and  afterwards  by  observation,  that  the  species  of 
Leptoglossus  subsist  in  all  their  stages  preferably  upon  the  fruit  of 
the  plants  subject  to  their  attack.  The  first  intimation  of  this  fact  came 
from  correspondence  with  Mr.  Henry  J.  Gerling,  St.  Charles.  Mo., 
who  wrote  under  date  of  August  S.  1899.  that  L.  oppositus  Avas  attack- 
ing the  fruit  of  cucumber  and  the  fruit  and  buds  of  nest-egg  gourd  in 
his  vicinity.  AVhen  first  observed  the  nymphs  were  about  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  long  and  blood-red  in  color.  After  they  had  pierced  the 
fruit,  a  waxy  secretion  exuded  from  the  wounds,  such  exudation  often 
showing  all  over  the  fruit  affected. 

We  have  now.  as  a  result  of  recent  investigation,  a  knowledge  of  the 
full  life  history  of  the  species,  which  will  be  presented  in  detail. 

INJURY   DURING   1899    AND    1900. 

Damage  by  this  plant-bug  to  gourd  and  cucumber  at  St.  Charles, 
Mo.,  in  1899  has  already  been  mentioned.  The  fruits  or  vegetables 
from  which  our  material  was  obtained  were  said  to  be  literally  cov- 
ered with  the  insects.  September  13,  1899,  Mr.  F.  C.  Pratt  observed 
attack  to  the  fruit  of  cucumber  at  Alexandria,  Va.  September  25  we 
received  from  Mr.  Thos.  I.  Todd.  Athens.  Ga..  specimens  of  nymphs 
in  different  stages,  with  the  report  that  this  insect  was  injuring  the 
stems  of  young  watermelon. 

In  1900.  Mr.  H.  Guibor.  House  Springs.  Mo.,  sent  the  young  of  this 
species.  June  11.  mostly  in  the  second  stage  of  the  nymph,  but  with 
one  in  the  third  stage,  with  the  report  that  they  were  attacking  the 
fruit  of  pear.  June  25,  Mr.  John  G.  Bauranel,  Clarksville,  Johnson 
County.  Ark.,  sent  specimens  with  the  statement  that  this  plant-bug 
was  preying  upon  peach  and  cantaloupe  in  that  locality.  Peaches, 
when  ripe,  were  sometimes  found  full  of  imperfect  spots,  manifested  by 


19 

a  roughening*  of  the  skin.  When  peeled  a  dark,  circular  spot  caused 
by  the  puncture  of  this  insect,  which  our  correspondent  likened  to  the 
perforation  of  an  awl.  could  be  seen.  The  insects  were  present  in 
great  numbers  on  the  peaches,  quietly  sucking  tin1  juice.  Cantaloupe 
vines  would  appear  to  be  perfectly  healthy  in  the  morning,  and  perhaps 
by  noon  would  be  wilted  and  dying,  although  roots  and  stems  appeared 
to  be  sound.  Specimens  of  this  species  were  observed  about  the  middle 
of  July,  and  Mr.  Otto  Heidemann.  of  this  office,  states  that  he  saw 
nymphs  of  a  related  species  still  earlier.  July  25,  Rev.  Fred  M. 
Dickey.  Deanewood.  D.  C.  stated  that  he  had  recently  observed  the 
insects  in  copula  on  his  plums  and  cherries.  July  30  a  considerable 
number  of  insects  were  received  from  the  last  mentioned  locality, 
some  in  copulation  when  received.  August  3,  Mr.  August  Busck 
reported  this  species  very  abundant  on  peach  trees  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  most  of  the  specimens  captured  having  been  found  paired. 
From  the  date  just  mentioned  to  August  16.  Mr.  Pratt  observed  this 
plant-bug  on  three  occasion-  at  St.  Elmo.  Ya..  on  stalks  of  corn  where 
no  other  crop  was  growing  and  on  August  l'7  he  found  numerous  indi- 
viduals puncturing  tomatoes.  There  were  several  colonic-  at  work 
and  the  majority  of  the  individuals  were  in  the  third  stage  of  the 
nymph.  In  the  first  week  of  September  Mr.  Pratt  noticed  that  much 
injury  was  being  done  to  seed  cucumbers,  many  plants  being  com- 
pletely covered  with  the  bugs  in  their  various  stages.  The  following 
week  the  same  observer  found  the  Insect  doing  some  harm  to  cymlings, 
near  Deanewood. 

OCCURRENCE    DURING    THE    SEASON    or    L901. 

During  1901  this  plant-bug  came  under  frequent  observation,  more 
especially  by  Mr.  Pratt  at  St.  Elmo  and  elsewhere  in  Virginia.  He 
noticed  it  on  pear,  plum,  and  peach  attacking  the  fruit;  he  also  saw  it 
puncturing  corn  in  milk  and  tomatoes,  and  lie  states  that  it  was  as 
common  as  in  1900  on  cantaloupe  and  other  cucurbits.  September  20, 
Mr.  John  S.  Seibert.  Cumberland,  Md..  sent  specimens  of  the  nymph 
in  the  last  stage,  with  the  information  that  they  were  puncturing  the 
fruit  of  hazel  nut.  transmitting  at  the  same  time  nuts  showing  punc- 
ture scars. 

This  insect  is  accused  of  more  injury  than  the  mere  puncturing  of 
fruits.  There  is  no  doubt  whatever  that  in  feeding  it  injects  a  certain 
liquid,  the  same  as  or  similar  to  that  which  is  secreted  by  the  common 
squash  bug,  and  that  this  poisons  the  plant,  causing  the  fruit  to  be 
distorted  or  checking  its  growth.  It  has  also  been  accused  of  being  a 
transmitter  of  fungus  diseases  of  pear  and  other  fruit  trees.  It  seems 
quite  probable  that  this  is  the  case,  although  further  observations  are 
necessary  to  settle  the  matter.  It  was  reported  too  late  in  the  season 
for  careful  investigation. 


20 


Aside  from  their  preference  for  fruit  as  food,  the  species  of  Lepto- 
glossus  very  closely  resemble  the  squash  bugs  (Anasa)  in  many  of  the 
details  of  life  economy.  The  eggs  are  of  similar  color  and  net-veined 
like  those  of  Anasa.  but  are  of  different  shape  and  deposited  length- 
wise instead  of  in  somewhat  irregular  masses.  During  the  early 
stages  of  the  nymph  the  predominating  color  is  red,  but  in  the  last 
stage  the  close  resemblance  to  Anasa  is  quite  evident.  In  the  length 
of  the  stages  of  the  life  cycle  the  two  genera  do  not  appear  to  differ. 

THE    EGG    AND   OVIPOSITION. 

The  eggs  are  laid  in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  Z.  phyUopus,  in 
single  rows  or  chains  along  the  stems  or  leaf-ribs  of  the  plants  upon 
which  the  insects  feed.     They  evidently  differ  in  coloring  from  those 

of  j>Jtylh>2)us.  however,  all  that  have 
been  observed  being  pale  bronze  to 
dark  bronze-brown,  none  of  them 
golden.  The  eggs  are  semicylindrical, 
looking  from  one  end,  as  shown  in 
figure  3.  c\  and  are  rather  strongly 
flattened  on  the  lower  surface,  where 
attached  to  a  plant.  The  outline,  as 
seen  from  above,  is  short  oblong,  the 
eggs  being  placed  so  close  together  end 
to  end  that  they  form  what  appears  to 
be  a  stiff,  cylindrical  rod,  of  which 
each  egg  is  a  joint  or  cell.  At  one  end 
of  the  egg^  covering  a  little  more  than 
half  of  the  distance  from  that  extrem- 
ity to  the  other,  there  is  a  circular  area 
with  a  surrounding  circle  of  light  color 
and  bearing  a  transverse  curved  row  of 
This  circular  area  comes  off  like  a  trap- 
door (e)  for  the  issuance  of  the  young.  Under  a  microscope  of  mod- 
erately high  power  the  entire  surface  is  seen  to  be  finely  reticulate, 
with  rather  regular  pentagonal  and  hexagonal  areas  (d).  The  length 
of  an  egg  is  about  1.4,nm,  and  the  width  l-1.15nim,  the  height  being 
a  trine  less.  A  chain  of  eggs  is  shown  at  h  (fig.  3).  and  the  sculpture 
of  an  egg  at  d.  Chains  vary  in  length  from  those  having  half  a  dozen 
eggs,  and  measuring  about  three-eighths  of  an  inch,  to  others  having 
26  eggs  and  measuring  1^  inches  in  length. 

THE    NYMPHS. 

The  nymphs  when  first  transformed  have  the  legs  and  antenna?  rose- 
colored,  the  body  pale  orange-red,  the  eyes  reddish  or  reddish-bixmn. 
The  ground  colors  change,  in  all  except  the  fifth  stage,  to  brighter 


A: 

e 

Fig.  3. — Leptoplowus  nppositus:  a.  mature 
bug;  b.  string  of  eggs;  c,  egg  from  end; 
d,  sculpture  of  egg;  e,  egg  from  side, 
showing  opening  from  which  young 
has  escaped— all  except  d  about  twice 
natural  size  (original). 

from  4  to  6  elevated  points. 


21 

orange  or  vermilion  with  dark-brown  or  black  legs  and  antenna?, 
while  the  amount  of  black  on  other  portions  of  the  body  increases 
with  each  successive  molt.a 

First  stage. — The  nymph  when  first  hatched  from  the  egg  is  pale 
coral  red  in  color,  with  long,  dark  brown  or  nearly  black  legs,  the 
proximal  half  of  the  antenna?  being  of  the  same  color  and  the  remainder 
pale  coral,  becoming  darker  soon  after  hatching.  The  antenna?  and 
legs  are  of  nearly  equal  length,  about  one-fourth  longer  than  the  body 
(with  the  head).  The  rostrum,  which  is  kept  closely  folded  under  the 
body  when  the  insect  is  not  feeding,  is  of  the  same  color  as  the  legs 
and  about  three-fourths  as  long  as  the  body.  The  posterior  portion 
of  the  body  is  sparsely  tuberculate.  the  arrangement  being  as  shown 
in  the  accompanying  illustration  (tig.  4)  at  <i.  The  legs  and  antennae 
are  clothed  with  sparse  short  black  hairs.     The  tibia?  of  the  hind  legs 


Pig.  l.—Leptoglossus  oppositus:  <<.  nymph  of  first  stage;  b,  second  stage;  c,  third  stage:  rf,  fourth  stage; 
>.  fifth  stage— all  about  two  and  one-half  times  natural  size  (original). 

show  no  evidence  of  the  expansions  which  appear  in  later  stages.  The 
length  of  the  body  when  first  hatched  is  about  2.3m,n,  and  the  width  is 
about  o.Smm. 

Second  stage. — With  the  casting  of  the  first  skin,  the  nymph  takes 
on  a  more  elongated  appearance  generally,  the  head,  body,  antenna?, 
and  legs  all  being  longer  and  more  cylindrical,  while  the  tubercles 
become  more  pronounced.  The  two  dorsal  abdominal  tubercles  and 
the  anal  extremity  become  black,  and  a  pair  of  minute  tubercles 
usually  show  just  behind  the  pair  back  of  the  hind  legs.  The  hind 
tibiae  shows  slight  evidence  of  enlargement.  Length  when  fully 
matured.  6mm.     This  stage  is  illustrated  at  ft,  fig.  4. 

Thirdstage. — Superficially  this  stage  (tig.  4.  c)  looks  but  little  different 
from  the  second.     The  thorax  is  longer  than  the  head,  the  black  por- 

aThe  differences  between  the  nymphs  of  this  species  and  of  L.  phyllopus  are  not 
nearly  so  marked  as  in  the  two  cucurbit-feeding  Anasas,  tristis  and  annigera. 


22 

tions  of  the  body  are  darker  and  more  conspicuous,  and  the  abdominal 
tubercles  more  prominent.  The  antennae  and  legs  are  wider,  the  latter 
with  the  lateral  tibial  expansions  just  beginning  to  show,  being-  now 
about  the  same  width  as  the  tibia  itself,  and  without  teeth.  The 
tubercles  are  larger,  but  the  dorsal  spines  are  scarcely  longer  than  in 
the  second  stage.  The  haustellum  immediately  after  the  molt  projects 
beyond  the  abdomen  to  a  distance  about  equal  to  the  length  of  the 
head.     Length  of  body  just  after  molt,  6mm. 

Fourth  stage. — The  appearance  of  this  stage  is  shown  at  ^7,  fig.  4. 
The  antennae,  hind  legs,  and  body  are  subequal  in  length,  the  haustel- 
lum a  little  shorter  when  first  transformed,  the  width  of  the  body  at 
this  time  only  a  little  over  2mm,  becoming  about  3.5mm  before  the  next 
molt.  When  "full  colored"  the  body  is  of  about  the  same  appearance 
as  in  the  third  stage,  but  the  red  ground  color  becomes  lighter  and 
duller  orange  before  molting,  while  the  black  coloring  extends  farther. 
The  wing  pads  are  bronzy  black,  occupying  more  than  half  the  thorax; 
the  tibiae  each  marked  with  a  whitish  band  just  below  the  middle; 
lateral  expansions  about  two-thirds  wider  than  tarsi,  with  one  more  or 
less  feebly  marked  lateral  tooth  toward  apex.  Length  when  first 
molted,  9mm. 

Fifth  xt<i<j( .  -This  stage  is  illustrated  at  <-.  fig.  4.  With  the  casting 
of  the  fourth  skin  the  nymph  begins  to  show  the  appearance  of  the 
mature  bug;  the  antennae  and  legs  are  still  shining  black,  the  latter 
yelloAvish  at  the  extreme  apex,  and  the  tarsi  have  each  a  whitish  band, 
as  in  the  preceding  stage1.  The  lateral  expansions  are  several  times  as 
broad  as  in  the  preceding  stage,  strongly  bidentate  on  the  lateral  sur- 
face, and  rather  feebly  unidentate  on  the  inner  portion,  which  is 
marked  with  a  medial  white  spot.  The  head  and  body  are  black, 
thickly  covered  with  gray  pubescence,  thickest  on  the  head.  The 
prothorax  is  narrower  at  the  apex,  where  it  is  of  about  the  same  width 
as  the  base  of  the  head,  and  broader  than  the  thorax  at  the  base;  the 
sides  are  nearly  straight,  with  wide  orange  margin.  Just  behind  the 
apex  of  the  thorax  there  is  a  pair  of  small,  rounded  orange  tubercles 
placed  rather  closely  together.     Length  when  first  molted,  llmm. 

Tin  ad ult. — A  full  description  of  the  mature  insect  has  been  given 
by  the  writer  in  the  article  previously  mentioned  (p.  -45),  but  for  the 
benefit  of  those  who  may  not  have  opportunity  to  refer  to  that  descrip- 
tion it  may  be  stated  that  the  parent  insect  is  a  large,  chocolate-brown 
heteropterous  bug  of  the  same  family  as  the  squash  bugs,  theCoreida?, 
from  which  insects  it  may  be  readily  distinguished  by  its  more  slender 
form,  acutely  pointed  head,  and  longer  antennae  and  legs,  but  more 
particularly  by  the  leaf-like  expansion  of  the  hind  legs  (see  fig.  3,a). 
The  length  is  18  to  21mm,  and  the  width  across  the  thorax  5  to  6r 


'mm 


23 

DISTRIBUTION. 

Leptoglossiis  oppositus  is  Austro-riparian  in  distribution,  although  it 
extends  about  halfway  into  the  Carolinian  region  and  sometimes  even 
farther  north,  such  occurrence  however,  in  the  writer's  opinion,  being- 
rare  and  in  some  cases  perhaps  accidental.  With  recorded  distribu- 
tion and  the  localities  furnished  during  the  year,  we  know  that  this 
species  occurs  in  Georgia.  Texas.  Arkansas,  Missouri.  Indian  Terri- 
tory. North  Carolina,  Virginia,  Maryland,  District  of  Columbia.  Ken- 
tucky. Indiana.  New  York,  and  New  Jersey.  In  the  last-mentioned 
State  it  is  recorded  from  Shiloh  in  September,  and  it  was  captured  on 
Staten  Island.  New  York,  in  October,  by  Mr.  W.  T.  Davis. 

LIFE    HISTORY    AM)    HABITS. 

TJ>>  lifi  cycle. — The  life  history  of  this  plant-bug.  as  previously 
intimated,  practically  duplicates,  as  regards  the  length  of  the  different 
stages,  that  of  our  two  common  species  of  Anasa,  tristis  and  armigera. 
Eggs  that  were  deposited  in  extremely  hot  weather  in  early  August 
produced  nymphs  in  eight  days  and  the  first  molt  of  the  nymph  took 
place  in  three  days. 

The  nymphs  do  not  thrive  in  confinement  as  well  as  do  those  of  the 
species  of  Anasa.  and  the  working  out  of  the  periods  of  the  different 
stages  would,  therefore,  have  been  laborious.  Assuming  the  periods 
to  be  practically  identical,  we  have  the  egg  stage  eight  days,  the  first 
nymph  stage  three  days,  as  previously  ascertained,  and  can  surmise 
the  second  and  third  nymph  stages  to  be  rive  to  seven  days  each,  the 
fourth  five  or  six  days,  and  the  fifth  seven  or  eight  day-,  the  minimum 
period  of  the  entire  life  cycle  probably  being  about  rive  week-,  and 
the  maximum  seldom  more  than  six  weeks,  except  in  the  case  of  some 
of  the  late  broods  which  occur  in  the  fall. 

A-  with  Anasa.  there  is  only  a  single  generation  produced  each.  year. 

The  first  appearance  of  this  plant-bug  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  is  probably  not  far  from  the  first  day  of  July, 
the  earliest  date  when  it  has  been  observed.  This  is  two  or  three 
weeks  later  than  the  appearance  of  Anasa  tristis.  The  first  eggs  ob- 
tained were  deposited  August  '.».  Nymphs  were  first  seen  August  13; 
the  second  stage,  August  16. 

The  first  imagos  of  the  new  generation  developed  September  10, 
and  during  the  next  few  days  many  more  were  seen  both  in  our  rear- 
ing cages  and  in  the  field.  The  hibernated  bugs  disappeared  a  week 
or  two  earlier,  so  that  there  was  no  overlapping  of  generations  observ- 
able. The  second  stage  of  the  nymph  has  been  observed  during  dif- 
ferent seasons  as  late  as  the  middle  of  September  and  an  individual  of 
the  third  stage  September  23.  A  belated  adult  was  observed  in  the 
second  week  of  November. 


24 

Food  haMts. — It  may  be  well  to  sum  up  what  is  now  known  of  the 
food  and  other  habits  of  this  species.  It  is  obvious  that  cucurbits  are 
the  favorite  food  of  both  adults  and  nymphs,  although  the  earlier 
arrivals  or  hibernated  adults  are  more  often  found  upon  fruit  trees. 
The  nymphs  are  most  abundant  on  cucurbits,  which  naturall}T  is  true 
of  adults  of  the  new  generation  which  remain  on  or  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  plants  upon  which  they  developed  until  time  for  seeking  winter 
quarters.  Plums,  cherries,  peaches,  and  tomatoes  are  frequently 
punctured  by  the  insects  in  all  stages,  tomatoes  appearing  to  be  pre- 
ferred in  our  rearing  jars  to  other  food.  Green  corn  is  fed  upon 
readily.  There  is  record  of  occurrence  on  corn  published  \>y  Dr. 
Lintner  in  the  Country  Gentleman  of  October  7,  1886  (p.  753).  Of 
other  published  records  of  food  habits  we  have  Mr.  Ashmead's  men- 
tion of  this  species  in  his  enumeration  of  the  insect  enemies  of  cotton; 
also  note  of  the  occurrence  of  eggs  and  nymphs  on  a  hedge  plant  and 
on  Russian  apricot.  Grape  has  been  recorded  as  a  food  by  Dr.  Lint- 
ner (loc.  cit.).     The  natural  wild  food  plant  remains  to  be  discovered. 

In  the  report  of  the  Oklahoma  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  for 
1900-1901  mention  is  made  of  this  bug  as  having  been  received  from 
various  parts  of  Oklahoma,  accompanied  with  the  report  that  it  was 
injuring  the  fruits  of  peach  and  plum  by  puncturing  them  and  suck- 
ing out  their  juices.  The  species  occasioned  considerable  alarm  there, 
and  farmers  were  asked  to  send  specimens  whenever  found,  in  order 
that  several  points  in  its  life  history  might  be  determined. 

Oth<-r  habits. — The  nymphs,  as  soon  as  hatched,  group  themselves 
about  the  chains  of  eggs  and  remain  there  during  the  day  and  probably 
till  nightfall.  Afterwards  they  may  be  found  in  other  locations,  and 
those  which  have  been  under  observation,  both  in  the  field  and  in  con- 
finement, at  once  selected  a  place  for  congregating  where  they  were 
to  be  seen  throughout  the  da}T,  the  individuals  of  a  colony  or  those 
which  hatched  from  a  single  egg  mass  always  remaining  by  them- 
selves. In  one  rearing  cage  a  colony  established  itself  at  the  base 
of  a  squash  leaf  near  the  stalk,  which  appears  to  be  a  favorite  rest- 
ing place  for  this  as  well  as  other  plant-bugs,  including  the  squash 
bugs;  and  another  colony  formed  at  the  apex  of  the  same  leaf,  as  far 
as  possible  from  the  first  colony.  Here  they  remained  day  after  day 
without  mingling.  Finally  a  stray  nymph  from  a  third  egg  mass,  and 
larger  than  the  others,  joined  the  lower  colony  and  remained  with  them. 
With  the  assumption  of  the  third  stage,  the  nymphs  kept  under  obser- 
vation deserted  their  original  congregating  places  and  collected  in 
another  portion  of  the  cage,  where  they  were  joined  by  a  newly 
hatched  colony.  With  later  stages  it  is  a  matter  of  common  occur- 
rence to  find  in  the  field  three  or  four  stages  in  a  single  group. 

A  fully  matured  nymph  was  observed  to  shed  its  last  skin  October  2, 


25 


at  11.30  a.  111.     At  this  time  it  was  a  light  carmine;  in  the  afternoon 
it  had  changed  to  the  normal  dull  black  color. 

This  plant-bug  has  a  similar  but  much  fainter  odor  than  the  common 
squash  bug.  but  in  ordinary  handling  of  the  creatures,  nymphs  and 
adults,  it  would  scarcely  be  noticed. 

NATURAL    ENEMIES. 

Quite  frequently  the  adults  of  this  plant- bug  are  noticed  with  Tach- 
inid  eggs  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  thorax.  During  the  first  week 
of  August  a  fly  was  reared  from  hibernated  adults,  which  proved  to  be 
Trichopoda  pennipe*  (tig.  5).  An 
adult  of  the  squash  bug.  Anaaa 
tr'ist'is%  was  found  September  14  with 
a  nymph  of  tin1  second  stage  of  this 
plant-bug  affixed  to  its  beak. 


REMEDIES. 


This  plant-bug  can.  in  the  case  of 
ordinary  attack,  be  controlled  by 
hand-picking  or  by  capturing  the 
insects  in  in  veiled  umbrellas,  bags, 
or  specially  prepared  nets  saturated 
with  kerosene:  the  best  time  for 
their  capture  being  in  the  early 
morning  or  late  in  the  evening,  as  they  are  apt  to  be  active,  taking 
wing  readily,  in  the  heat  of  the  day. 

A  certain  measure  of  relief  should  be  obtained  by  the  free  use  of 
kerosene  emulsion,  which  will  at  least  kill  the  younger  nymphs. 

Some  of  the  remedies  in  use  against  the  striped  cucumber  beetle1 
and  other  insect  enemies  of  cucurbits  will  assist  in  the  control  of  this 
species  when  it  occurs  on  cucurbits.  Among  these  are  the  protection 
of  young  plants  with  coverings:  the  use  of  repellents,  such  as  land 
plaster  or  gypsum,  saturated  with  kerosene  or  turpentine:  the  plant- 
ing of  an  excess  of  seed  to  distribute  attack:  the  stimulation  of  the 
growth  of  the  plant  by  manures  or  other  proper  fertilizer:  and.  lastly, 
clean  cultural  practice.  If.  as  soon  as  the  crop  is  harvested,  the  vines 
be  gathered  and  burned,  many  bugs  in  their  different  stages  will  be 
destroyed  and  the  crop  of  insects  will  be  reduced  for  the  ensuing  year. 

With  a  knowledge  of  the  natural  wild  food  plant  or  plants  of  this 
species,  we  might  be  able  to  control  it  in  the  same  manner  as  sug- 
gested for  its  congener,  L.  phyUopus,  which  feeds  normally  upon 
thistles.  This  matter  is  considered  on  page  48  of  Bulletin  No.  19. 
present  series. 


Fn;.  r>. —  Trichopoda  pennipes:   adult,  fly   three 
times  natural  size  (original  I. 


"See  Circular  No.  31,  2d  ser.,  The  Striped  Cucumber  Beetle,  pp. 


26 

THE  CARROT  RUST  FLY. 

(Psila  rosas  Fab.) 

This  imported  pest,  which  has  been  noted  as  injurious  to  carrots  in 
Canada  since  1885,  made  its  appearance  during  the  season  of  1901  in 
New  York,  and  did  considerable  injury. 

November  14  and  19,  1901,  Mr.  James  Granger,  Broadalbin,  N.  Y., 
sent  specimens  of  the  maggot  which  proved,  on  rearing,  to  be  this 
species,  and  which  he  found  at  work  in  a  celery  field  during  the  sum- 
mer. The  larvae  seemed  to  begin  eating  into  the  thick  part  of  the  root 
when  the  plant  was  about  half  grown,  stunting  it  so  as  to  make  it 
worthless  for  market.  About  6,000  plants  had  been  ruined  during  the 
season,  and  traces  of  the  ravages  of  the  maggot  were  found  all  over  a 
Held  containing  60,000  plants. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  rearing  and  subsequent  identification 
of  the  species  was  made  so  late  in  the  season  that  it  was  impossible  to 
make  any  biological  observations.  The  importance  of  the  species  as  a 
pest  in  Europe  and  its  prospective  increase  and  injuriousness  in  this 
country  are  such,  however,  that  it  is  deemed  advisable  to  present  at 
this  time  what  is  known  concerning  the  insect  and  its  life  history.  All 
that  has  been  hitherto  published  on  its  occurrence  in  America  is  from 
the  pen  of  Dr.  James  Fletcher,  Dominion  entomologist  of  Canada. 

Attack  on  carrots  is  not  difficult  of  recognition.  The  leaves  of  the 
young  plants  early  in  the  spring  turn  reddish,  and  the  roots  are  found 
to  be  blotched  with  rusty  patches,  particularly  toward  their  tips.  The 
roots  when  stored  for  winter,  although  not  always  manifesting  any 
degree  of  injury  on  the  outer  surface,  may  at  times  be  perforated  in 
all  directions  by  dirty  brownish  burrows,  from  which  the  whitish  or 
yellowish  larvae  may  be  found  sometimes  projecting. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

This  species  is  quite  minute,  the  adult  or  parent  fly  measuring  only 
about  one- sixth  of  an  inch  (4mm)  in  length,  with  a  wing  expanse  of 
a  little  more  than  three-tenths  of  an  inch  (8mm).  The  color  of  the 
body  is  dark  green,  described  by  some  authors  as  black,  and  it  is 
rather  sparsely  clothed  with  yellow  hairs.  The  head  and  legs  are  pale 
yellow,  and  the  eyes  are  black.  The  general  appearance  of  the  two 
sexes  is  shown  at  $  and  ?  .  respectively  (tig.  6).  It  will  be  noted  that 
the  male  abdomen  is  rounded  at  the  apex,  while  that  of  the  female  is 
prolonged  into  a  rather  acute  point.  A  more  detailed  description 
is  given  by  Curtis. 

The  /<</■/'(/.  about  half  grown,  is  figured  at/'.  </.  It  is  paler  than  the 
more  mature  larva.  The  full-grown  larva  resembles  rather  closely 
that  of  the  cheese  maggot,  to  which  this  species  is  nearly  related,  but 
is  much  darker  in  color,  being  rather  dark  brown,  with  the  segments 


'27 

well  marked,  the  head,  as  is  usual  with  related  maggots,  being  minute, 

while  the  posterior  extremity  is  truncate.  The  general  appearance  is 
shown  at  l.  the  spiracles  at  c,  and  the  anal  segment  at  d.  The  length 
of  the  mature  larva  is  a  little  less  than  three-tenths  of  an  inch  (7mm). 
The jmparium  (<  )  is  of  about  the  same  color  as  the  larva,  and  the 
anterior  portion  is  obliquely  truncate,  recalling-  the  appearance  of 
the  anal  segment  of  the  Scolvtiche  or  bark -beetles.  The  length  is 
nearly  one-fifth  of  an  inch  (4.5mm). 


Fig.  6.— Puif'i  rose-  f,  male  fly.  7.  female  fly.  lateral  view:  o,  antenna  of  male:  b,  full-grown  larva, 
lateral  view;  c,  spiracles  of  same;  '/.anal  extremity  from  the  end;  e,  puparium;  /.young  larva: 
o,  anal  segment  from  8id« — flk-s.  young  and  mature  larva,  and  puparium,  eight  times  natural  size: 
other  portions  more  enlarged  (original  |. 

According  to  Curtis,  when  the  imago  issues  from  the  puparium  an 
oval  lid  on  this  portion  lifts  up.  permitting  the  fly  to  crawl  out.  The 
posterior  extremity  ends  in  two  minute  and  not  prominent  dark 
tubercles. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

The  carrot  rust  fly  is  a  pest  in  England  and  Germany  and  probably 
elsewhere  on  the  continent  of  Europe.  It  was  originally  described 
from  Kilia.  in  Bessarabia.  Just  when  it  was  first  introduced  in  this 
country  does  not  appear  to  be  known,  but  ravages  were  not  apparent 
until  18S5.  and  until  the  present  year  the  species  seems  to  have  been 
contined  to  Canada,  although  we  have  in  the  National  Museum  a  sing-le 
specimen  received  from  Mrs.  A.  T.  Slosson.  labelled  Franconia.  X.  H. 
New  York  is  apparently,  therefore,  an  unrecorded  locality  and  celery 
a  new  food  plant.  Lt  frequently  happens  that  a  species  introduced 
from  one  country  into  another,  particularly  from  the  Old  World  into 
America,  assumes  new  habits  and  acquires  new  tastes  as  regards  food. 
The  localities  in  which  the  species  has  been  observed  in  Canada  will  be 
mentioned  further  on. 

From  the  known  distribution  of  the  carrot  rust  fly  it  would  seem 
probable  that  this  species  will  not  be  troublesome  far  southward,  its 


28 

establishment  in  Canada  for  at  least  eighteen  years  indicating  its 
adaptability  to  a  cold  climate.  It  will  perhaps  not  extend  farther 
south  than  the  Upper  Austral  life  area,  and  for  a  number  of  years  at 
least  would  be  most  injurious  in  the  more  northern  portion  of  that 
zone  and  in  the  Transition.  There  is  little  doubt  that  it  will  in  time 
spread  westward,  and  may  some  day  become  a  pest  in  the  celery  fields 
of  Michigan. 

OCCURRENCE    IN    CANADA. 

The  first  record  of  the  occurrence  of  the  carrot  rust  fly  in  America 
appears  to  be  that  published  by  Dr.  Fletcher,  who.  as  already  remarked, 
has  written  all  that  has  hitherto  been  known  of  the  occurrence  of  this 
species  on  this  continent.  In  1885  carrots  purchased  in  the  market  at 
Ottawa  were  seen  to  be  much  mined  by  small  white  maggots,  which 
proved  by  rearing  to  be  the  carrot  fly  (Rpt.  Ent.,  Dept.  Agr.,  Can., 
1885,  p.  15).  In  1886  Dr.  Fletcher  found  young  plants  of  carrot 
in  a  garden  at  Ottawa  badly  attacked  in  the  spring.  The  same  year 
a  great  deal  of  damage  was  done,  particularly  to  roots  stored  for 
the  winter.  Mr.  F.  B.  Caulficld.  an  entomologist  of  Montreal, 
reported  that  in  February,  1887,  nearly  all  the  carrots  that  he  had 
seen  exposed  for  sale  were  more  or  less  attacked.  At  Nepean,  On- 
tario, early  carrots  were  badly  attacked,  nearly  every  root  showing 
signs  of  the  insect's  presence,  two-thirds  of  the  crop  being  seriously 
injured  for  the  market  (Rpt.  Ent.  and  Bot.,  Exp.  Farms,  Dom.  of 
Can.,  for  1887  [1888],  p.  21). 

In  1897  the  species  was  reported  as  occasioning  complaints  during 
the  previous  ten  or  twelve  years,  chiefly  in  the  Province  of  New 
Brunswick,  but  also  in  Ontario  and  Quebec.  Attack  is  described  as 
being  a  serious  one.  carrots  stored  for  winter  use  being  rendered  use- 
less for  the  table  from  the  discolored  burrows  of  the  numerous  mag- 
gots which  sometimes  occur  in  a  single  root. 

In  1895  a  correspondent  at  Rothsay.  Kings  County.  X.  B..  whose 
crop  had  suffered  severely  from  the  ravages  of  this  insect,  noticed  that 
late  sown  carrots  were  less  injured  than  those  sown  at  the  ordinary 
time.  Late  planting  has  since  been  recommended  and  adopted  with 
considerable  success  (1.  c.  for  1897  [1898],  pp.  19  -198).  Specific  men- 
tion is  made  of  injury  at  Upper  Sackville,  Brookville,  and  Clifton, 
N.  B.  In  the  first  locality  injury  was  noticed  in  1891  and  1895,  at 
Brookville  in  1895.  and  at  Clifton  for  several  years.  In  the  last  local- 
ity few  carrots  were  raised  "of  late  years  on  account  of  this  pest." 
The  following  year  (1.  c.  for  1898  [1899],  pp.  193-191)  specific  injury 
to  carrots  at  Noulton  and  Ste.  Marie,  Quebec,  was  noticed. 

EUROPEAN    LITERATURE    OF    THE    INSECT. 

The  original  description  of  the  carrot  rust  fly,  by  Fabricius,  ap- 
peared   in    1792  (Entomologica    Systematica,   Vol.   IV,  p.    356)    and 


29 

under  the  name  of  Musea  rosae,  the  specific  name  evidently  being*  sug- 
gested by  the  capture  of  the  mature  fly  upon  a  rose  bush,  but  this  is 
not  explained  in  the  text,  which  reads  "Habitat  hi  Kilidd  florihus" 
In  subsequent  years  the  species  was  redescribed  by  Fallen.  Meigen, 
Mac-quart,  and  Zetterstedt.  and  in  1834  Bouche  (Xaturgeschiehte  der 
Insekten,  pp.  i'7.  98)  gave  some  account  of  its  habits.  In  1837  a  popu- 
lar account  was  published  by  Vincent  Kollar  (Sehadliche  Insekten,  p. 
168).  Hollar's  account  is  translated  in  the  London  edition  published 
in  1810  (pp.  160,  161)  the  insect  being  referred  to  as  the  "negro  fly." 
The  same  year  John  Curtis  published,  in  Farm  Insects  (pp.  404-407), 
a  still  more  extensive  article  with  illustrations  and  descriptions  of  all 
stages.  Accounts  also  appeared  in  subsequent  years  by  Miss  E.  A. 
Ormerod  (Manual  of  Injurious  Insects  and  other  publications),  by 
Taschenberg,  and  others.  It  is  probably  this  fly  which  Joshua  Major 
mentions  in  his  "Treatise  on  the  bisects  most  Prevalent  on  Fruit 
'Frees  and  Garden  Product'."  published  in  London  in  1829.  On  page 
183  he  states,  under  the  head  of  carrots,  that  "  the  greatest  pest  to  this 
plant  is  a  small  white  larva  of  a  small  fly  (PoUydismus  Oomplanatusy. 
He  furnishes  the  information  that  moist  weather  appears  to  be  the  most 
productive  of  the  depredations  of  this  species,  stating  that  under  such 
atmospheric  conditions  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  " whole  and  exten- 
sive crops  laid  waste  and  rendered  useless,  by  their  perforating  and 
defacing  the  Carrot  from  one  end  to  the  other,  which  effect  gives  rise 
to  the  common  term  canker,  which  gardeners  have  so  much  to  com- 
plain of  in  this  vegetable."  On  page  L99  he  also  refers  to  this  species 
as  "  grub  (  Pollydismus  ( fomplmat/U8) — See  on  Carrots."  He  adds  that 
he  can  suggest  nothing  for  the  destruction  of  the  pest  since  the  mag- 
gots are  so  deeply  fortified  in  the  plants  which  they  attack  that  noth- 
ing can  be  applied  that  will  reach  them  without  destroying  the  plants. 
He,  however,  recommends  rotation  with  crops  not  affected  by  this 
species,  and  avoiding  plots  that  have  had  carrots  the  year  before. 

Zetterstedt  quotes  Dahlbom  (Dipt.  Seand..  Vol.  VI..  p.  2403)  as 
having  reared  this  species  from  larva-  at  the  roots  of  turnip  (Brassica 
rapa),  and  rape  (B.  napus), 

HABITS    OF    THE    SPECIES. 

The  life  history  of  the  carrot  rust  fly  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
worked  out.  What  we  know  is  from  the  authors  that  have  been  quoted. 
The  writer  is  inclined  to  believe  that  in  the  United  States  the  species 
will  be  found  to  pass  the  winter  usually  as  a  puparium,  possibly 
occasionally  also  as  a  larva;  but  as  larvae  work  also  on  carrots  in  store 
the  flies  will  develop  in  winter,  as  happened  in  the  writer's  laboratory, 
which  is  kept  unusually  cool  for  a  working  room  and  still  cooler  at 
night  during  the  colder  months.  Hence  we  have  great  irregularity 
of  development,  making  generalization  impossible  until  we  have  an 


30 

opportunity  to  make  observations  in  the  field.  As  the  larvse  go  deep 
into  the  ground  upon  the  approach  of  cold  weather  it  is  quite  probable 
that  they  may  be  able  to  survive  as  such. 

In  any  case,  the  insect  develops  rather  early  in  the  season.  Attack 
begins  with  young  carrots  which  turn  of  a  rusty  color,  and  upon 
examination  the  roots  will  be  seen  to  be  disfigured  with  rusty  patches, 
more  especially  toward  the  tips.  Both  flies  and  maggots  are  found 
throughout  the  warmer  months,  but  the  latter  desert  the  roots  for 
pupation  in  the  earth,  the  last  generation  probably  descending  much 
deeper  into  the  earth  than  the  earlier  ones.  According  to  Curtis  the 
summer  generations  develop  in  three  or  four  weeks.  No  one  appears 
to  have  surmised  how  many  generations  are  produced.  There  must 
be  at  least  two,  and  probably  more.  Miss  Ormerod  states  that  the  fly 
goes  down  into  the  ground  for  oviposition  where  she  can  find  a  crack 
or  other  opening  about  the  roots  of  the  carrot  (or  other  food  plant 
affected),  and  the  maggots  when  hatched  work  their  way  into  the  roots; 
when  this  is  quite  small  they  often  destroy  the  lower  portion. 

NATURAL    ENEMIES   AND   ASSOCIATES. 

Curtis  found  a  species  of  parasitic  four-winged  fly  which  he  described 
as  Alysia  apii  (Farm  Insects,  p.  420),  and  which  he  presumed  was  a 
parasite  of  this  species  and  connected  with  its  economy. 

Polydesmus  complanatus  Linn,  is  stated  by  Curtis  to  be  attracted  to 
the  roots,  which  have  been  previously  perforated  by  the  maggots  of 
this  species,  sometimes  congregating  in  such  vast  numbers  that  he  sup- 
posed that  it  was  this  creature  which  was  reported  to  have  devoured 
carrots  by  the  acre  in  Scotland  in  1831.  This  is  a  European  milli- 
pede several  times  reported  to  be  introduced  in  this  country, a  and 
it  is  sometimes  accompanied  by  a  centipede  known  as  Scolopendra 
dectrica,  said  to  assist  in  depredations. 

:l  Prof.  0.  F.  Cook,  who  is  our  best  American  authority  on  the  Myriapoda,  informs 
the  writer  that,  although  this  species  has  been  recorded  as  occurring  in  the  United 
States,  it  has  not  yet  been  positively  recognized  on  this  continent,  he  having  never 
seen  specimens.  It  seems  probable  that  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  this  insect 
must  have  been  brought  to  this  country  in  potted  plants  and  in  earth  perhaps  thou- 
sands of  times,  it  has,  for  some  unknown  reason,  failed  to  gain  a  permanent  foothold. 

In  response  to  the  inquiry  of  the  writer  as  to  whether  any  of  the  Myriapoda,  better 
known  as  thousand-legged  worms,  millipedes,  etc.,  were  capable  of  original  damage 
to  plant  tissue,  Professor  Cook  stated  that  their  mouth-parts  were  not  formed  either 
for  biting  or  chewing,  and  that  they  were  only  capable. of  eroding  or  scraping  dis- 
eased tissue,  and,  to  some  extent,  soft,  delicate  plants.  In  this  way,  however,  they 
can  do  occasional  damage  by  constantly  scraping  plant  growth  like  the  tubers  of 
potatoes  affected  with  scab  and  similar  diseases,  and  young,  delicate  plants  that  might 
recover  if  they  were  not  attacked. 


31 


METHODS   OF   CONTROL. 


As  with  other  species  which  feed  beneath  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
the  carrot  rust  fly  is  a  difficult  one  to  reach  with  insecticides.  Our 
principal  dependence  is  therefore  based  upon  methods  of  tillage  which 
will  serve  to  avert  attack. 

Kerosem  emulsion  prepared  in  the  proportion  of  one  part  to  ten  of 
water  and  sprayed  upon  the  carrots  along  the  rows  with  a  knapsack 
or  other  sprayer,  or  sand,  land  plaster,  or  ashes,  with  which  kerosene 
has  been  mixed  at  the  rate  of  half  a  pint  to  3  gallons,  sprinkled  along 
the  rows,  are  (with  the  exception  of  crude  carbolic  acid  at  the  rate  of 
half  a  pint  in  5  gallons)  about  the  only  applications  which  have  been 
made  with  good  results.  In  Canada,  according  to  Dr.  Fletcher,  one  or 
the  other  of  these  applications  should  be  made  once  a  week  through 
June  from  the  time  the  roots  begin  to  form,  and  particularly  after  the 
rows  have  been  thinned. 

Late  sowing  has  also  been  practiced  to  great  advantage,  several  per- 
sons attesting  its  value. 

Rotation  of  crops  should  always  be  practiced  in  the  case  of  such 
species  as  the  present  one,  and  this  means  the  planting  of  a  new  bed 
each  year  as  far  as  possible  from  land  infested  the  previous  season. 
Many  of  those  who  have  complained  of  injuries  have  admitted  planting 
carrots  on  the  same  ground  year  after  year,  and  some  have  testified  to 
the  value  of  rotation. 

Destruction  of  the  insects  in  st<>r<<l  carrots. — Where  carrots  are 
stored  for  winter  use  in  earth  this  should  be  treated  to  destroy  the 
larva1  or  puparia  which  leave  the  roots  to  enter  the  soil  for  transfor- 
mation. This  may  be  accomplished  in  several  ways:  (1)  By  burying 
the  earth  deeply;  (2)  by  spreading  it  in  thin  layers  where  it  will  be 
exposed  to  the  elements;  (3)  where  possible,  by  throwing  it  into  pools 
where  it  will  be  frozen;  or  (4)  by  exposing  it  to  heat  or  steam  in  any 
manner  which  may  be  most  convenient. 

Treatment  of  the  insect  in  <->t<  ry  beds. — Now  that  we  know  that  this 
insect  also  infests  celery,  it  is  obvious  .that  celery  should  not  follow 
carrots  nor  carrots  celeiy  in  rotation.  Clean  cultivation  should  be 
practiced,  which  means  the  destruction  of  all  remnants  after  the  celery 
crop  has  been  harvested,  and  if  the  insect  is  found  to  destroy  celery  in 
store  in  the  same  manner  as  carrots,  the  earth,  after  the  larvae  have 
entered  it,  should  be  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  described  above. 

After  harvesting,  it  would  be  a  good  plan  to  give  the  celery  fields  a 
light  raking  or  cultivating  of  sufficient  depth  to  expose  the  larvae 
or  puparia  that  they  may  be  destroyed  by  frost;  early  the  following 
spring,  before  the  flies  have  time  to  issue,  if  the  earth  be  plowed 
deeply,  it  will,  with  little  doubt,  have  the  effect  of  destroying  most 
of  the  insects;  and  such  as  have  not  been  killed  by  frost  and  survive 


32 

cultivating  and  raking  would  be  buried  so  deeply  under  the  ground 

by  the  spring  plowing  that  they  would  not  be  able  to  effect  their 

escape. 

THE  CARROT  BEETLE. 

(Ligyrus  gibbosus  Dej.) 

A  very  common  beetle  along  the  Atlantic  coast  from  Long  Island  to 
the  Gulf  States,  and  at  many  points  inland,  has  been  reported  as  the 
cause  of  injury  to  carrots  and  other  root  crops,  and  to  some  other  plants. 
It  first  attracted  attention  from  its  injury  to  sunflower  and  has  been 
given  the  name  of  sunflower  beetle;  but  as  its  record  shows  it  to  be  the 
worst  insect  enemy  to  carrot  and  parsnip  known  in  the  United  States 
at  present,  the  name  of  carrot  beetle  is  suggested  as  more  appropriate. 
It  is  somewhat  of  a  general  feeder,  and,  as  we  learn  more  of  its  habits, 
we  will  doubtless  find  that  it  will,  on  occasion,  attack  many  other  plants 
than  those  which  will  be  specified. 

During  the  year  1900  it  was  destructive  to  corn  in  Louisiana  and 
Mississippi,  and  the  following  year  to  sunflower  in  Illinois  and  to  root 
crops  in  Indiana. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  beetle  (fig.  7). — From  three  other  species  of  Ligyrus,  gibbosus 

can  be  distinguished  without  much  difficulty.     It  is  of  robust  form, 

like  ruginasus,  the  Pacific  coast  form,  and  relictus,  but  from  both 

it  may  be  known  by  its  much  smaller  size.     It 

measures  between  one-half  and  five-eights  of  an 

inch  in  length,  and  its  width  is  more  than  half 

the  length.     The  surface  of  the  elytra  is  strongly 

sculptured    and    coarsely    punctate,    characters 

which  will  distinguish  this  genus  from  Lachnos- 

terna.     The  color  varies  from  reddish  brown  to 

nearly  black  on  the  dorsal  surface.     The  lower 

surface  is  reddish  brown,  and  the  legs,  which  are 

still  brighter  colored,  are  clothed  with  reddish- 

fig.  i.-Lim/rm  giSboms:    yellow  hairs.     The  remaining  species,  rugiceps, 

beetle— about  twice  nat-     i>s  restricted  to  the  South,  and  is  narrower  than 

the  others,  with  a  different  facies. 
The  species  may  further  be  distinguished  from  ruginasus  (with  which 
it  agrees  in  having  the  thorax  impressed  in  front,  and  with  a  small 
tubercle,  and  in  having  the  anterior  tibiae  tridentate)  by  the  structure 
of  the  clypeus  which  is  bidentate  or  two-toothed,  the  clypeus  in  rugi- 
nasus being  unidentate  or  single-toothed. 

The  egg  is  of  the -usual  scarabaeid  appearance,  when  recently  laid 
measuring  1.70mm  in  length  and  1.45  ram  in  diameter,  but  when  ready  to 
hatch  the  length  is  about  2.30  mm  and  the  diameter  2.20  mm.  In  almost 
every  respect  the  egg  is  a  counterpart  of  that  of  Lachnosterna,  which 


S3 

was  described  by  the  writer  in  Bulletin  No.  19  of  the  present  series 
(p.  75).  It  is  perfectly  snow-white  with  just  a  perceptible  luster  when 
laid,  but  becomes  grayer  when  near  the  hatching  time.  The  larva  and 
pupa  have  never  been  described,  to  the  writer's  knowledge. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

The  list  of  localities  in  which  Ligyrw  gibbosus  has  been  observed, 
and  by  which  it  is  represented  in  most  cases  in  the  National  Museum, 
includes  territory  from  Long  Island  to  California  and  Oregon,  as  well 
as  the  Gulf  States.  It  indicates  a  very  wide  distribution,  but  so  far  as 
we  know  at  present  the  species  does  not  occur  in  the  Northern  States 
in  the  Transition  or  even  in  the  more  northern  portions  of  the  Upper 
Austral  life  zones.  For  example,  although  it  is  extremely  abundant 
about  the  city  of  New  York,  it  does  not  occur  in  the  central  portion  of 
the  State.    A  list  of  known  localities  follows: 

New  York,  Staten  Island,  Long  Island,  N.  Y. ;  in  New  Jersey  at  Trevose,  Brigan- 
tine,  and  Highlands,  and  "throughout  the  State,  but  much  more  common  along  the 
shore  at  light "  (Smith);  Pennsylvania;  Maryland;  Cobb's  Island,  Pennington  Gap, 
Fortress  Monroe,  and  Virginia  Beach,  Ya. ;  District  of  Columbia;  Keokuk,  Iowa; 
Thomson,  111.;  Purdue  and  Chesterton,  Ind.;  Moody,  Ark.;  Topeka,  Riley  County, 
Onaga,  and  Atchison,  Kans. ;  St.  James  and  Glencoe,  Nebr. ;  Capron  and  Crescent 
City,  Fla. ;  Craig,  Miss.;  San  Diego,  Plainview,  Rock  Hill,  and  Gainesville,  Tex.;  Salt 
Lake,  Utah;  Las  Cruces,  Albuquerque,  Mesi  11a  Valley,  and  Water  Canon,  N.  Mex.; 
Yuma  and  Wilcox,  Ariz.;  Bayou  La  Fourchc,  Mcr  Rouge,  and  Ville  Platte,  La.; 
Grand  Rapids,  Wis.;  Pueblo,  Colo.;  Los  Angeles,  Kern  County,  and  southern  Cali- 
fornia; Hood  River,  and  Dalles,  Oreg. 

RECENT   INJURIOUS  AND    OTHER   UNRECORDED   OCCURRENCES. 

April  21,  1900,  Mr.  Rene  L.  Derouen,  Ville  Platte,  La.,  sent  speci- 
mens of  this  insect  with  the  report  that  the  species  was  concerned  in 
the  destruction  of  the  corn  crop  of  that  vicinity.  The  beetles  were 
described  as  cutting  the  corn  just  above  the  roots.  The  previous 
gear's  crop  was  lost  through  its  depredations,  and  fear  was  expressed 
that  the  country  might  suffer  very  much  indeed  through  the  ravages 
of  this  pest.  Mr.  James  Lambeth,  Craig,  Miss.,  sent  specimens,  with 
the  information  that  many  of  these  insects  were  to  be  found  in  a  corn- 
field about  an  inch  deep  in  the  ground. 

During  1901  we  received  in  June  specimens  of  the  beetle,  with 
information  from  Prof.  W.  G.  Johnson,  associate  editor  American 
Agriculturist,  that  this  species  was  found  injuring  the  roots  of  sun- 
flower and  sweet  potato  at  Thomson,  Carroll  County,  111.  October  10 
we  received  specimens  of  beetles  eating  the  roots  of  celery,  carrots, 
and  parsnips,  and  sent  by  Mr.  F.  J.  Dickinson,  Chesterton,  Ind.  He 
stated  that  the  carrot  crop  appeared  to  be  in  good  condition,  judging 
from  the  tops,  but  when  the  plants  were  pulled  it  was  seen  that  the 
roots  were  full  of  little  holes.  The  beetles  appeared  to  work  entirely 
23987— No.  33—02 3 


34 

under  ground,  and  our  correspondent  stated  that  they  had  ruined  the 
carrot  and  celery  crop  that  fall.  December  5,  Mr.  Dickinson  again 
wrote  in  regard  to  investigations  which  he  had  conducted  at  the 
writer's  request.  He  succeeded  in  ascertaining  that  carrots,  at  least 
in  that  localit}^  were  the  chosen  food  of  the  beetles,  but  celery  and 
sweet  potatoes  were  greatly  damaged.  Of  parsnips  an  occasional 
root  was  found  that  had  been  eaten  into,  but  not  to  seriously  damage 
it.  Celery  was  greatly  injured  by  the  beetles'  gnawing  into  the  roots 
so  that  the  plants  were  killed  and  dwarfed,  sometimes  so  badly  that 
the  crop  was  practically  worthless  for  market.  One-half  of  Mr.  Dick- 
inson's sweet  potatoes  were  not  marketable  on  account  of  the  holes 
made  by  these  beetles. 

LITERATURE    AND   RECORDED   INJURIES   BY   THE    SPECIES. 

The  first  account  which  the  writer  finds  of  injuries  by  the  carrot 
beetle  was  published  in  the  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Agricul- 
ture for  1880  (p.  274).  About  the  middle  of  August  of  that  year 
specimens  were  received  from  St.  James,  Nebr.,  where  it  was 
reported  at  the  roots  of  sunflower  plants  of  sickly  appearance,  from  5 
to  25  of  the  beetles  to  each  plant.  They  had  eaten  the  bark  from  the 
root  and  scored  long  grooves  in  the  wood.  The  larvae  were  found  in 
the  same  situation  doing  apparently  the  same  work.  Later  in  the  fall 
of  the  same  year  a  correspondent  at  Glencoe,  Nebr.,  wrote  that 
this  species  often  nearly  exterminated  wild  sunflower  by  working  at 
its  roots.  He  had  also  observed  it  on  cultivated  sunflower  and  dahlia. 
June  4  of  the  same  }-ear  we  received  from  Mr.  D.  Donaldson,  Rock 
Hill,  Bexar  County,  Tex.,  a  lot  of  larva?  of  this  species — which  were 
subsequently  reared  to  adults — with  the  report  that  the  species  was 
doing  much  damage  to  potatoes.  Of  this  lot,  one  changed  to  pupa 
June  14  and  others  June  16,  the  beetles  issuing  June  28  and  July  1. 
respectively.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  pupal  condition  for  this 
season  required  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  days.  Pupation  took  place 
in  an  oval  cavity  in  the  earth  formed  by  the  rolling  and  twisting  of 
the  larva.  September  16  Mr.  J.  H.  Way  land,  Plainview,  Tex.,  sent 
beetles  with  the  report  that  they  were  numerous  and  doing  much 
damage  to  shrubs  and  vegetables  of  different  kinds  b}T  working  upon 
their  roots,  first  cutting  small  roots  and  afterwards  the  tops.  From  1 
to  50  beetles  could  be  found  in  the  ground  around  the  roots  of  single 
vegetables,  weeds,  and  small  shrubs. 

It  is  plain  from  the  above  that  injuries  must  have  been  quite  exten- 
sive in  the  year  1880. 

In  September,  1889,  Mr.  F.  M.  Webster  reported  the  occurrence 
of  this  species  in  destructive  numbers  on  carrot  at  Purdue,  Ind. 
The  carrots  were  found  to  be  gnawed  to  the  depth  of  2  or  3  inches, 
the  cavities  thus  formed  being  large  and  irregular.     Injuries  con- 


35 

tinued  during  that  month  and  October  and  up  to  the  6th  of  December. 
(Insect  Life,  Vol.  I,  p.  382).  During  the  year  1890  Ligyrus  <j;hl>f>su* 
was  reported  by  Professor  Bruner  as  having  been  quite  destructive  to 
the  sugar  beet  over  limited  areas  toward  the  western  part  of  the  State 
of  Nebraska.  It  attacked  the  roots,  into  which  the  mature  insects 
gnawed  great  holes,  sometimes  entirely  embedding  themselves.  They 
worked  for  the  most  part  on  old  ground  and  where  irrigation  was 
practiced.  The  work  upon  the  roots  extended  from  the  surface  to  a 
considerable  depth,  but  was  most  apparent  at  about  3  or  4  inches  below 
the  surface.  In  some  instances  it  reached  a  depth  of  fully  7  inches 
(Bui.  23,  o.  s.,  p.  17).  In  1894  Mr.  Webster  again  reported  this 
species  to  be  destroying  sunflowers  by  eating  the  roots,  the  beetles 
going  from  hill  to  hill  to  continue  their  depredations.  This  occur- 
rence took  place  in  Indiana,  as  before,  in  St.  Joseph  County  (Insect 
Life,  Vol.  VII,  p.  206;  Ohio  Farmer,  July  5,  1894,  p.  17). 

In  Bulletin  No.  36  of  the  Mississippi  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station,  by  H.  E.  Weed  (Nov.,  1895,  pp.  156,  157),  an  interesting 
note  is  published  on  the  occurrence  of  this  species  in  Mississippi.  The 
injury  by  the  beetles  is  described  as  somewhat  resembling  that  of  corn 
billbugs.  When  a  stalk  of  corn  is  attacked  it  presents  a  wilted 
appearance,  but  after  a  few  days  of  favorable  weather  it  may  recover. 
An  excellent  illustration  of  the  cause  of  attack  is  given,  well  worth 
repeating,  in  Mr.  Weed's  own  language. 

In  June  of  this  year  many  reports  were  received  from  Adams  County  of  damage 
being  done  by  these  beetles  and  we  were  at  a  loss  as  to  how  to  account  for  the  injury. 
Upon  investigation,  however,  we  found  the  following  to  be  the  situation:  The  beetles 
were  doing  damage  only  in  a  limited  locality,  and  had  done  the  most  damage  upon 
a  plantation  wrhere  some  3,000  head  of  cattle  were  pastured  last  year.  The  land  was 
not  i  »lowed  until  spring  and  the  corn  was  planted  immediately  afterwards.  These 
facts  explained  the  whole  matter.  The  beetles  were  attracted  to  the  pasture  last 
year  by  the  droppings  of  the  cattle  and  had  deposited  their  eggs  in  the  grass.  The 
larva?  fed  on  the  roots  of  the  grass  last  season  and  changed  into  mature  beetles  jusl 
before  the  ground  was  broken.  The  corn  immediately  after  was  attacked  by  the 
beetles,  as  it  was  the  only  vegetation  on  the  land.  If  the  land  had  not  been  broken 
up  the  beetles  would  probably  have  fed  on  the  grass  and  deposited  their  eggs  as 
usual. 

The  substance  of  this  report  of  injury  is  repeated  in  the  eighth 
annual  report  of  the  same  station  (p.  71). 

A  short  general  account  of  this  species  is  given  by  Messrs.  Forbes 
and  Hart  in  Bulletin  No.  60  of  the  University  of  Illinois  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station  (p.  152),  which  includes  an  original  illustration  of 
the  beetle. 

SOME   DIVISIONAL   RECORDS   OF   ATTACK. 

May  9,  1898,  Mr.  Geo.  Davenport,  Mer  Rouge,  La.,  mailed  speci- 
mens of  this  beetle  with  the  report  that,  although  there  were  few  of 
this  insect  in  corn  in  that  vicinity  the  previous  year,  during  1898  they 


36 

were  very  numerous.  The  beetles  went  down  under  the  surface  of  the 
earth  and  completely  shredded  the  cornstalk  between  the  surface  and 
the  roots.  They  were  described  as  playing  havoc  with  stands  of 
corn  in  that  region.  September  19,  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  B.  M. 
Vaughn,  Grand  Rapids,  Wis.,  sent  specimens  of  the  beetle  working  in 
carrot  tops  and  in  tubers  of  dahlia. 

During  1899,  Mr.  J.  P.  Baker,  Mood}^,  Drew  County,  Ark.,  sent 
specimens  of  beetles,  June  3,  reporting  that  they  were  cutting  late 
plantings  of  small  corn  and  cotton,  as  many  as  7  or  8  being  found  on 
a  single  plant.  Older  growth  of  these  crops  seemed  exempt  from 
attack,  evidently  owing  to  their  firmer,  more  wood}T  texture.  August 
28,  Dr.  W.  H.  Ridge,  Trevose,  Pa.,  sent  specimens  of  the  beetle, 
stating  that  they  had  been  destroying  great  quantities  of  carrots  by 
boring  down  and  eating  the  roots  off,  leaving  the  ground  full  of  holes. 

SUMMARY    OF    FOOD    AND    OTHER    HABITS. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  life  economy  of  the  carrot  beetle  is  still  incom- 
plete. It  would  appear  that  in  many  respects  it  closel}^  resembles  the 
brown  fruit-chafer  {Euphoria  mda  Linn.),  which  has  been  treated  in 
Bulletin  No.  19  (n.  s.),  pages  67-71.  Larval  injury  has  been  noted, 
but  there  is  little  doubt  that  the  grubs  feed  also  on  humus,  manure,  and 
decomposing  roots  and  tap  roots  of  herbaceous  plants.  The  writer  has 
observed  larvae  feeding  in  earth  where  there  was  no  opportunity  for 
plant  attack.  Most  cases  of  reported  injury  have  been  due  to  the  oper- 
ations of  the  beetles,  and  damage  is  more  pronounced  on  young  plants 
than  on  older  growth,  the  latter  appearing,  in  some  cases  at  least,  to 
be.  exempt  from  attack,  owing  to  their  firmer  and  more  woody  texture. 
Injury  may  be  accomplished  both  by  hibernated  individuals  in  the 
spring  from  April  to  June,  according  to  locality,  and  by  recently 
transformed  specimens  in  late  summer  and  in  autumn. 

Like  the  fruit-chafer  again,  the  species  is  with  little  doubt  single- 
brooded.  Eggs  have  been  observed  by  the  writer  June  8  from  which 
larvae  hatched  ten  days  later.  Pupation  takes  place  in  an  oval  cavity 
in  the  earth,  formed  by  the  rolling  and  twisting  of  the  grub  within, 
as  in  the  case  of  allied  insects;  and  the  observed  pupal  period  is  about 
fourteen  or  fifteen  days  in  the  warm  weather  of  late  June  and  early 
July.  As  these  observations  were  made  on  material  received  from 
Texas,  it  seems  probable  that  farther  north,  as,  for  example,  along  the 
coast  of  New  Jerse}r  and  Long  Island,  pupation  taking  place  at  a  later 
period  requires  a  longer  time.  Hibernation,  without  much  doubt, 
occurs  in  the  adult  condition.  The  favorite  food  of  the  beetle  is  evi- 
dently carrot,  and  after  this  corn  in  the  Southern  States;  elsewhere 
parsnip  and  celery  appear  to  be  chosen.  Sweet  potato  and  Irish  potato 
are  subject  to  much  damage.  Sunflower  and  dahlia  are  to  be  included 
as  food  plants,  and  sugar  beet  is  sometimes  injured,  as  is  also  cotton. 


37 

The  writer  has  found  the  beetles  in  numbers  about  the  roots  of  pig- 
weed (Ambrosia),  and  other  persons  have  noticed  them  about  weeds. 
Although  the  species  is  rather  unusually  periodical  in  injurious  attack, 
it  Ls  obviously  capable  of  doing  much  damage  in  years  when  it  develops 
in  great  numbers. 

NATURAL    ENEMIES   AND   METHODS   OF    CONTROL. 

One  bird,  the  chuck-will's-widow,  is  recorded  as  having  fed  on  the 
beetles  of  Ligyrusgibbosus  at  Gainesville.  Tex.  (Ins.  Life, Vol.  II.  p.189). 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  when  this  insect  is  present  in  large  num- 
bers in  cultivated  fields  there  is  little,  owing  to  its  manner  of  working, 
that  can  be  accomplished  in  the  line  of  control.  About  the  only  thing 
that  can  be  done  is  to  trap  the  beetles  at  night  by  means  of  stationary 
lanterns  and  pans  of  water  placed  below  the  lanterns,  on  which  is  float- 
ing a  thin  scum  of  kerosene.  The  lantern-  should  be  stationed  at 
intervals  about  the  held,  particularly  around  the  borders.  The  beetles 
are  strongly  attracted  to  electric  lights,  but  it  is  not  certain  that  they 
could  be  lured  from  the  field-  after  beginning  to  feed. 

A  correspondent  reports  that  by  scattering  lime  through  infested 
fields  the  beetles  have  been  apparently  driven  away.  It  is  possible 
that  this  or  some  other  similar  substance  might  have  a  deterrent  effect, 
but  it  is  rather  doubtful. 

After  the  crop  lias  been  harvested,  if  the  insects  continue  in  numbers 
in  the  ground,  either  in  the  adult,  larval,  or  pupal  stage,  it  would  be 
profitable  to  turn  in  hogs,  which  soon  rind  and  root  up  such  insects 
from  the  ground.  Chickens  also  learn  to  follow  the  plow  after  these 
and  similar  insects.     Crop  rotation  should  also  be  practiced. 

THE  BEET  ARMY  WORM. 

{Laphygma  exigua  Hbn.) 

Simultaneously  with  the  occurrence  of  the  fall  army  worm  (La- 
phygma frugiperdd)  in  the  eastern  United  States  in  such  unusual  and 
destructive  numbers  in  L899,  a-  previously  reported  by  the  writer 
(Bui.  29,  n.  s.,pp.  5-46).  a  similar  outbreak  of  a  related  species  known 
in  American  literature  as  Laphygma  jlavimacidata  Harv.  occurred  in 
Colorado  and  New  Mexico.  The  outbreak  in  Colorado  has  been  men- 
tioned by  Prof.  C.  P.  Gillette  in  several  publications,  but  no  compre- 
hensive account  of  the  species  has  yet  been  published,  and  recent 
studies  of  literature  show  that  there  is  such  a  strong  possibility  of  this 
species  becoming  a  serious  pest  eastward  that  it  becomes  a  practical 
necessity  to  bring  together  all  that  we  know  about  it.  All  that  has 
been  published  in  regard  to  its  food  habits  and  ravages  in  America  are 
from  the  observations  of  Professor  Gillette,  but  through  the  kindness 
of  Dr.  PI.  G.  Dyar.  of  the  National  Museum.  I  have  been  referred  to 
numerous  articles  on  this  species  going  to  show  that  it  is  widely  dis- 


38 


tributed  and  cosmopolitan,  although  in  the  United  States  restricted  to 
an  area  considerably  west  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

Although  this  insect  is  obviously  of  foreign  origin,  there  is  proba- 
bility of  its  some  time  migrating  in  the  same  manner  as  did  the 
Colorado  potato  beetle  in  the  late  sixties  and  early  seventies;  and  it  is 
nearly  equally  possible  that  this  insect  may  become  as  great  a  foe  to  the 
culture  of  the  sugar  and  garden  beet,  as  well  as  to  other  vegetables, 
as  the  Colorado  beetle  has  been  to  the  potato,  though  this  may  not 
happen  in  the  near  future.  It  does  not  confine  itself  to  foliage,  but 
after  devouring  this  eats  off  the  crown  of  a  plant  and  then  the  roots. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

This  species,  as  might  be  expected  from  their  relationship,  is  similar 

to  the  fall  arm}7  worm  in  all 
stages,  but  the  resemblance  is 
not  close. 

The  moth  (fig.  8,  a)  resem- 
bles more  nearly  the  plain  gray 
form  of  L.  frugiperda,  but 
the  fore-wings  are  broader  and 
paler,  the  reniform  and  other 
spots  as  well  as  mottlings  are 
more  distinct,  but  the  hind- 
wings  differ  very  slightly,  the 
veins,  particularly  the  central 
ones,  being  a  little  more  dis- 
tinct. The  body  is  of  similar 
color,  but  a  little  more  slender. 
The  wing  expanse  is  less  than 
an  inch  and  one-fourth. 

A  technical   description    is 

furnished  by  Hampson  (Fauna  of  British  India,  Moths,  Vol.  II,  p. 

259),  which  is  quoted  herewith: 

Pale  ochreous  brown.  Fore-wing  with  the  subbasal,  ante-,  and  post-medial  double 
lines  indistinct;  the  orbicular  small  and  round,  pale  or  ochreous;  the  reniform  usually 
less  prominent,  with  ochreous  or  dark  center;  the  submarginal  line  pale,  angled  below 
the  costa,  and  with  some  slight  dark  streaks  before  it  at  middle;  a  marginal  series  of 
dark  specks.  Hind- wing  semihyaline  opalescent  white;  the  veins  and  outer  margin 
tinged  with  fuscous. 

The  egg*  are  also  similar,  being  ribbed  as  in  the  case  of  most  Noctuid 
moths,  but  according  to  the  figure  and  description  furnished  by 
Hofmann,  the}r  differ  by  being  pyramidal,  something  unusual  in  the 
Noctuidse.  The  general  appearance  of  the  egg  is  shown  in  the  illus- 
tration at  e  and  f.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  upper  third  has  the 
appearance  of  being  surmounted  !ry  a  cap,  and  this  portion  is  separated 
from  the  lower  two-thirds  by  a  white  ring. 


Fig.  8. — Laphygma  exigua:  a,  moth;  b,  larva,  lateral 
view;  c,  larva,  dorsal  view;  d,  head  of  larva;  e,  egg, 
Viewed  from  above;  /,  egg,  from  side— all  enlarged 
{a-d,  original;  e,  f,  after  Hofmann). 


.       39 

The  larva. — The  few  specimens  of  the  larva  available  for  description 
are  small  or  not  quite  mature,  the  longest  measuring  less  than  an  inch 
and  one-fourth,  and  with  much  narrower  head  than  that  of  the  fall  army 
worm.  The  ground  color  in  life  is  greenish  or  olivaceous,  but  this 
does  not  show  in  inflated  and  alcoholic  specimens.  The  lateral  stripe, 
however,  is  strongly  suggestive  of  frugiperda,  although  the  surf  ace  is 
not  marked  by  the  large  tubercles  present  in  the  latter  species.  The 
head  is  mottled  dark  brown,  with  V-mark  well  indicated;  the  thoracic 
plate  scarcely  different  from  the  abdominal  seg- 
ments save  in  bearing  piliferous  warts,  while  the 
remainder  of  the  body,  with  the  exception  of  the 
head,  which  is  strongly  marked  with  dark  brown 
undulating  lines,   is  faintly  clothed,  onlv  a  few 

ii.i.  .  ...  i  "    t)    i  Fig.  9.— Laphygmaexigua: 

extremely  snort  hairs  appearmgat  intervals.  Below       enlarged  section  of  first 
the  lateral  stripe  the  surface  near  the  spiracles  is       Pf°les  segment,  dorsal 
pinkish.    The  larva  is  shown,  lateral  view,  at  5,  and 
dorsal  view  at  c,   figure  8;   an  enlarged  section  of  the  first  proleg 
segment  of  the  larva  is  illustrated  in  figure  9. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Messrs.  Coquillett  and  Dyar,  the  follow- 
ing more  technical  descriptions  of  the  larva  are  furnished: 

The  young  larva. — The  young  ones  are  pale  green  with  a  whitish  dorsal,  subdorsal, 
and  stigmatal  line,  spiracles  white,  ringed  with  black,  the  head  dark  brown.  Later 
in  life  the  head  becomes  green  dotted  with  blackish  and  the  coloring  of  the  body 
differs  considerably  in  the  depth  of  the  coloring  even  among  the  different  individuals 
of  the  same  brood  and  in  the  same  stage  of  development.  In  some  the  ground  color 
is  light  green,  in  others  the  suprastigmal  space  varies  from  dark  green  to  almost 
black. 

When  first  hatched  the  larvae  spin  a  web  about  them  and  live  gregariously  for 
several  days,  after  which  they  disperse  and  live  separately  without  any  protection. 
[D.  W.  Coquillett.] 

Tin  mature  larva. — Head  round,  oblique,  apex  in  joint  2;  sordid  luteous  with  a 
few  white  flecks  on  the  vertices  of  the  lobes;  width  about  2nu".  Body  cylindrical, 
equal,  normal,  joint  12  scarcely  enlarged.  Cervical  shield  smoky  or  green,  cut  by 
three  sordid  white  lines.  Green  or  olivaceous  in  darker  larva?.  A  straight  subdorsal 
line  a  shade  paler  than  the  ground  color,  and  a  straight  broad  substigmatal  one  of  the 
same  color  but  broadly  green,  filled  so  as  to  appear  only  at  the  edges,  or  else  in 
the  dark  form,  blotched  in  dull  red  centrally  on  the  segments.  Between  these  lines 
the  lateral  space  is  gray  to  black,  strongly  dotted  with  whitish.  Dorsum  dotted 
and  lined  confusedly  in  green  or  blackish,  heaviest  centrally,  defining  a  narrow 
obscure  pale  dorsal  line.  A  bright  white  speck  on  tubercle  iv,  which  is  at  the  upper 
corner  of  the  spiracle.  Subventral  region  pale,  mottled  in  whitish.  Feet  normal, 
green,  the  thoracic  ones  brown  shaded.     [H.  G.  Dyar.] 

THE  QUESTION   OF   NOMENCLATURE. 

Considering  the  cosmopolitan  distribution  of  this  species,  the  question  of  nomen- 
clature becomes  important.  In  Smith's  list  of  Lepidoptera  of  Boreal  America  pub- 
lished in  1891  (p.  47)  the  insect  is  recorded  as  Caradrina  Jiari  inaculata  Harv.  In  its 
larval  as  well  as  adult  stage,  and  in  its  habits,  howTever,  it  bears  so  close  a  resem- 
blance to  the  fall  army  worm   (Laphygma  jrugiperda)  that  it  is  obvious  that  the 


40        . 

two  species  belong  in  one  genus.  Sir  G.  F.  Hampson  in  his  Fauna  of  British  India 
(Moths,  Vol.  IT,  p.  259),  mentions  this  species  as  Caradrina  exigua  Hbn.,  giving  a 
rather  long  list  of  synonyms,  of  which  Caradrina  flavimaculata  Harv.  is  one.  He 
mentions  it  in  Fauna  Hawaiiensis  (Vol.  I,  pt.  2,  Macrolepidoptera,  p.  153)  as  Spodop- 
tera  exigua  Hbn.,  again  giving  flavimaculata  Harv.  as  a  synonym.  In  Staudinger 
and  Rebel's  "Catalog  der  Lepidopteren,"  published  in  1901  (p.  195),  the  species  is 
referred  back  to  the  genus  Caradrina,  with  remarks  on  synonomy  and  distribution. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

There  ean  be  no  doubt  that  the  beet  army  worm  has  been  introduced, 
probably  originally  on  the  Pacific  coast,  and  has  thence  made  its  way 
eastward  to  eastern  Colorado  and  New  Mexico.  With  the  possible 
exception  of  two  army  worms,  the  common  army  worm  and  the  fall 
army  worm  (both  of  which  may  have  been  introduced  originally  many 
years  ago  from  South  and  Central  America),  all  of  the  cutworms  which 
are  most  destructive  and  assume  the  army-worm  habit  in  seasons  of 
unusual  abundance  are  of  foreign  origin.  There  are  no  species  posi- 
tively known  to  be  native  which  migrate  in  numbers. 

In  accepting  the  opinion  of  European  authorities,  Meyrick,  Stau- 
dinger, and  Rebel,  as  to  the  identity  of  this  insect  with  the  European 
Caradrina  (Spodoptera)  exigua  Hbn.,  we  must  also  adopt  the  credited 
distribution  which  shows  it  to  be  truly  cosmopolitan.  Its  range  thus 
includes  middle  and  southern  Europe,  England  and  its  near-by  insular 
possessions,  Borkum.  Mauritius,  Madeira,  Canary  Islands,  Africa,  Asia 
Minor,  Syria,  Armenia,  Japan,  China  (?),  India,  Australia,  and  the 
Hawaiian  Islands. 

Harvey  described  this  species  in  1876  from  material  from  Oregon 
and  California  (Can.  Ent.,  Vol.  VIII,  p.  54).  So  far  as  the  writer  is 
aware,  however,  it  has  never  occasioned  injury  on  the  Pacific  coast, 
which  is  not  a  little  singular,  considering  the  fact  that  its  favorite 
food  plant,  sugar  beet,  is  extensively  cultivated  in  portions  of  Cali- 
fornia, and  that  the  insect  was  doubtless  introduced  there  even  before 
1876.  As  to  its  origin,  nothing  appears  to  have  been  surmised.  It  is 
doubtless  like  so  man}'  pests,  oriental,  and  perhaps  came  from  India 
or  Australia  by  way  of  Hawaii  to  California. 

From  present  knowledge  of  its  distribution  it  is  obviously  capable 
of  flourishing  in  both  the  Lower  and  Upper  Austral  life  zones,  and 
of  doing  injury  even  in  the  Transition,  but  it  may  be  that  it  agrees 
with  its  congener,  the  fall  army  worm,  in  being  better  adapted  to  the 
Lower  Austral  zone. 

A  single  specimen  was  captured  in  northern  Sonora,  Mexico  (Biol. 
Centr.-Amer.  Lepidoptera  Heterocera,  Vol.  I,  1900,  p.  280). 

We  have  little  definite  information  regarding  the  region  of  North 
America  which  this  species  inhabits.  The  list  of  localities  includes 
Oregon;  Los  Angeles,  San  Bernardino,  and  other  points  in  California; 
Fort  Collins,  Palisades,  Delta,  Grand  Junction,  and  Montrose,  Colo.; 


41 

Roswell,  Mesilla  Valley,  and  Carlsbad,  N.  Mex.  Both  the  Col- 
orado and  New  Mexico  localities  are  east  of  the  Rock}'  Mountain 
range,  and  it  appears  to  be  only  a  matter  of  time  when  this  species 
will  succeed  in  invading  the  great  sugar-beet  regions  of  Nebraska: 
perhaps  in  time  it  will  also  travel  farther  eastward  and  become  a  pest 
in  the  Eastern  States.  It  does  not  seem,  however,  that  there  is  any 
immediate  danger  of  general  spread  as  in  the  case  of  the  Colorado 
beetle:  first,  because  the  insect  is  a  general  feeder  capable  of  thriving 
on  plants  belonging  to  several  botanical  orders,  and  hence  does  not 
need  to  migrate  for  food:  and  second,  because  the  migration  of  the 
Colorado  beetle  is  something  almost  unprecedented  in  entomological 
history:  third,  because  according  to  present  evidence  the  insect  is 
Lower  Austral  and  perhaps  Tropical  in  origin,  while  the  sugar  beet 
grows  best  in  the  Upper  Austral  or  Transition  zones.  From  observa- 
tions of  Professor  Gillette  it  is  obvious  also  that  this  insect,  like  the 
fall  army  worm,  although  it  may  invade  the  Upper  Austral  area,  is 
not  apt  to  survive  severe  winters:  hence,  if  it  becomes  introduced  very 
far  northward  its  ravages  will  without  doubt  be  sporadic  and  depend- 
ent upon  the  occurrence  of  winters  sufficiently  mild  to  favor  its 
hibernation. 

PROBABLE    METHOD    OF    SPREAD. 

As  previously  surmised,  this  species  has  doubtless  come  to  our  shores 
from  Australia.  India,  or  somewhere  else  in  the  Orient,  possibly  via 

the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  originally  through  the  "Golden  Gate,"  Los 
Angeles,  or  at  some  intermediate  point  on  the  California  coast.  If  it 
was  introduced  in  the  northern  portion  of  California,  it  drifted  south- 
ward, as  would  any  other  species  of  semitropical  or  Lower  Austral 
origin  (which  zones  we  conclude  must  have  been  the  original  home  of 
the  insect).  From  southern  California  its  distribution  eastward  was  a 
matter  of  easy  accomplishment,  by  short  flights  of  the  moths  aided  by 
favoring  winds  through  Arizona,  possibly  extreme  northern  Mexico, 
and  New  Mexico,  where  few  high  mountains  barred  its  course,  to  Colo- 
rado, where,  according  to  available  data,  its  further  spread  appears  to 
have  ceased. 

In  some  respects  this  introduction  has  been  accomplished  in  what  we 
may  surmise  was  the  manner  of  establishment  of  certain  other  injur- 
ious insects,  examples  of  which  are  the  potato  tuber  worm  {Gdechia 
operculdla)  and  perhaps  the  imported  cabbage  web-worm  (Hdlula 
undalis),  both  of  which  inhabit  California.  They  probably  originated 
in  the  Orient,  and  evidently  followed  a  similar  course,  with  this  differ- 
ence, however,  that  as  one  feeds  in  the  tubers  of  potatoes  and  the  other 
in  the  heads  of  cabbage,  and  both  are  small  species,  it  is  more  likely 
that  they  were  introduced  in  part  by  "commercial  jumps.**  which 
accounts  for  their  being  found  farther  east  throughout  the  South.     Both 


42 

have  spread  to  the  Atlantic  seaboard,  the  former  occurring  in  North 
Carolina,  and  the  latter  in  South  Carolina.  Neither  (so  far  as  records 
show)  has  invaded  Colorado. 

ECONOMIC    LITERATURE. 

The  first  account  that  the  writer  finds  of  injury  by  this  species  in 
America  is  entitled  ,4The  Sugar-Beet  Caterpillar,"  and  was  issued  as 
Special  Press  Bulletin,  dated  August  19,  1899,  of  the  Colorado  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station,  C.  P.  Gillette  being  the  author.  Injury 
in  the  vicinity  of  Palestine,  Graod  Junction,  and  Fruita  is  specially 
mentioned,  and  some  facts  on  the  insect's  occurrence  are  also  given, 
the  main  portion  of  the  bulletin,  however,  being  devoted  to  the  discus- 
sion of  remedies.  In  Press  Bulletin  No.  3.  from  the  same  station  and 
author,  a  similar  account  appears. 

During  the  same  year  also  the  writer  mentioned  furnished  for  Bul- 
letin No.  26,  n.  s.,  of  the  Division  of  Entomology,  an  account  of  this 
species  and  its  occurrence  during  1899,  adding  as  localities  infested 
Delta.  Montrose,  and  Rockyford.  From  this  it  appears  that  although 
beets  were  principally  devoured,  the  caterpillars  also  attacked  potato, 
which  in  some  cases  suffered  badly,  as  also  small  fruit  trees  where 
beets  were  planted  in  orchards. 

In  a  report  of  the  same  writer  (12th  Report  Agl.  Expt.  Sta.  of  Colo- 
rado for  1899-1900,  p.  39)  similar  injury  is  cited,  the  estimate  being 
made  that  two  or  three  hundred  acres  of  beets  were  completely  ruined 
in  three  localities  during  August.  The  insect  matured  in  enormous 
numbers,  and  was  noted  to  be  passing  the  winter  as  a  moth. 

The  same  writer  published  in  the  22d  Annual  Report  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture  of  Colorado  some  additional  facts  in  regard  to  this 
insect's  life  economy  (pp.  128-129).  This  account  states  that  the  species 
disappeared  as  suddenly  in  1900  as  it  had  appeared  the  preceding  sea- 
son. Since  parasitism  was  not  especially  noticeable,  it  was  surmised 
that  the  insect  failed,  although  for  no  assignable  reason,  to  properly 
survive  the  winter.  Three  new  food  plants  were  added  to  the  list 
previously  furnished,  including  lambsquarter  (Chenopodium),  Russian 
thistle,  and  salt  bush  (Atriplex).  Mr.  E.  D.  Ball  observed  that  the 
moths  were  flying  abundantly  about  the  middle  of  May;  caterpillars 
began  hatching  the  first  week  in  June,  and  by  the  middle  of  that 
month  were  abundant.  Their  ravages  were  worst  on  earliest  planted 
beets,  late  plantings  suffering  injury  only  when  near  weeds  or  patches 
of  early  beets.  Thousands  of  the  worms  were  seen  migrating,  and 
they  were  found  to  travel  two  or  three  feet  a  minute. 

In  "The  Economic  Entomology  of  the  Sugar  Beet"  (Bui.  No.  60, 
Exp.  Sta.  Univ.  111.),  by  Messrs.  Forbes  and  Hart,  an  account  of  this 
species    also    appears    in   which    some    new   facts    are    given.      These 


43 

include  wild  sunflower,  Cleome,  pea,  and  leaves  of  apple  as  food  plants, 
the  data  having  been  derived  from  observations  communicated  by  Pro- 
fessor Gillette.  It  is  stated  that  this  species  evidently  hibernates  as  a 
moth,  and  at  least  two  generations  of  larva?  may  be  expected  each 
year — the  first  about  June,  and  the  second  in  August. 

A  similar  account  to  the  last  is  given  by  Prof.  E.  D.  Sanderson  in 
"Insects  Injurious  to  Staple  Crops, ,?  page  262. 

An  account  of  this  species  and  its  habits,  as  occurring  in  Europe, 
was  given  in  1893  by  Dr.  Ernst  Hofmann  in  "Die  Raupen  der  G-ross- 
Schmetterlinge  Europas,"  page  109.  This  includes  a  characterization 
of  the  genus  and  descriptions  of  all  stages,  with  figures  of  the  egg  and 
larva. 

The  following  synonvmical  list  is  furnished  by  Hampson  (Fauna 
British  India,  Moths,  Vol.  II,  1894,  p.  259): 

Caradrina  orbicularis,  Wlk.    Cat.  x,  p.  294. 

Caradrina  venosa,  Butl.     Ent  Mo.  Mag.  xvii.  p.  7:  C.  &  S.,  no.  2115. 

Spodoptera  cilium,  Guen.     Noct.  i,  p.  156;  C.  &  8.,  no.  2117. 

Spodoptera  insulsa,  Wlk.     Cat  xxxii,  p.  648. 

Spodoptera  erica,  Butl.     P.  Z.  S.,  L880,  p.  675. 

Laphygma  cycloidee,  Guen.     Noet.  i,  p.  157. 

Laphygma  macra,  Guen.     Noct  L,  p.  157. 

Laphygma?  caradrinoidee,  Wlk.     Cat.  ix.  p.  190. 

Caradrina  iiaviniaeulata,  Harv.,  Cn.tr.  New  Check-list,  p.  30. 

Caradrina  insignata,  C.  &  S.,  no.  21 12  ( mr  Wlk.). 

Huebner's  description  appeared  some  time  in  the  early  part  of  the 
century  in  Sammlung  europaischer  Schmetterlinge,  Noct.  fig.  362. 
This  publication,  however,  is  not  available  at  the  present  writing,  and 
the  exact  date  of  its  issuance  can  not  he  determined. 

RECENT    DIVISIONAL    REPORTS    OF    INJURY. 

The  first  intimation  that  the  "writer  had  of  the  occurrence  of  the 
beet  army  worm  in  injurious  numbers  in  this  country  was  received 
through  Prof.  J.  B.  Smith,  who  wrote  in  February.  1900,  that  it  had 
been  reported  by  Professor  Gillette  as  destructive  in  Colorado  during 
the  season  of  1 899.  h\  response  to  inquiry,  Professor  Gillette  wTrote  that 
there  had  been  a  considerable  outbreak  in  Colorado  during  that  sum- 
mer, and  prior  to  that  season  only  three  specimens  of  the  insect  had 
been  present  in  the  college  collection.  The  caterpillars  were  very 
abundant  during  August  at  Grand  Junction,  Palisades,  Delta,  and 
Montrose,  and  specimens  of  the  insect  were  also  received  from  Rocky- 
ford,  where  they  were  reported  to  depredate  on  beets.  Hundreds 
of  acres  of  beets  were  not  harvested  because  of  the  ravages  of  this 
species  in  the  region  about  Grand  Junction. 

It  was  noticed  that  but  little  destruction  of  the  last  brood  by  insect 
enemies  was  observed,  and  that  the  moths  appeared  during  the  latter 
part  of  August  and  September  in  prodigious  numbers. 


44 

;iThe  moths  spend  the  winter  evidently  in  hibernation,"  sinee  exam- 
ination of  the  ovaries  of  many  of  the  females  appearing  in  the  fall 
failed  to  show  the  ova  developed  in  any  case. 

During  the  same  season  Mr.  Vernon  Bailey,  of  the  Biological  Sur- 
vey of  this  Department,  observed  this  beet  army  worm  in  large  num- 
bers on  the  foliage  of  young  sugar  beets  in  a  held  near  Eddy,  now 
Carlsbad,  N.  Mex.  According  to  Mr.  Bailey's  notes  (which  were 
accompanied  by  specimens),  the  first  occurrence  was  noted  June  19, 
L899,  and  the  larvae  were  doing  much  damage  to  sugar  beets  in  the 
Pecos  Valley  near  Koswell  and  Eddy.  Extensive  areas,  including  in 
some  cases  entire  tields,  were  destroyed,  necessitating  replanting  and 
sometimes  the  abandoning  of  the  crops.  The  crop  of  that  region  was 
generally  injured.  Mr.  Bailey  informs  the  writer  that  a  sugar-beet 
factory  started  at  Eddy  has  since  been  put  out  of  operation,  and  sugar 
beets  have  been  raised  there  since  only  to  a  limited  extent  for  feeding 
stock.  The  cultivated  portion  of  the  valley  lies  mainly  in  the  Lower 
Sonoran  life  zone,  but  is  so  near  the  Upper  Sonoran  zone  as  to  have  a 
mixture  of  the  species  from  the  latter. 

During  the  summer  of  1901  Mr.  A.  X.  Caudell,  of  this  office,  spent 
some  time  in  the  collection  of  insects  in  portions  of  Colorado,  and 
gathered  some  material  found  injurious  to  cultivated  crops.  Among 
this  was  the  beet  army  worm,  all  stages  of  which  were  found  on  sugar 
beet  at  Palisades.  Mesa  County,  and  at  Delta.  At  the  latter  place 
larvae  were  captured  also  on  table  beet,  although  they  did  not  occur 
on  this  variety  of  the  plant  in  injurious  numbers. 

In  a  letter*  dated  February  4,  1902,  Prof.  T.  D.  A.  Cockerell  fur- 
nishes the  writer  the  information  that  this  species,  which  he  listed  on 
page  35  of  Bulletin  No.  24  of  the  New  Mexico  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Station,  as  occurring  in  Mesilla  Valley.  New  Mexico,  had  been 
reared  by  him  from  the  larva  depredating  on  cultivated  onion. 

EARLIER    RECORDS. 

The  first  record  that  appears  to  have  been  made,  unpublished  hith- 
erto, however,  was  by  Mr.  D.  W.  Coquillett.  when  employed  as 
held  agent  of  this  Division  in  California.  May  25,  1882,  lie  found  the 
larva  at  Anaheim,  Gal.  The  following  day  the  larvae  spun  their 
cocoons,  and  moths  began  issuing  on  the  11th  of  the  following  month. 
At  the  latter  date  more  larvae  were  found,  of  all  sizes,  feeding  on 
corn,  Chenopodium  cilbum  and  Arnaranthus  retr&flesous.  Some  of  the 
largest  were  placed  in  rearing  cages,  and  June  22  crept  beneath  the 
litter  in  the  cages  and  spun  very  thin  cocoons.  The  moths  issued 
the  second  week  in  July.  An  extended  search  for  larvae  was  made  in 
the  field  July  8,  but  without  success.  November  5  still  other  larvae 
were   found  in  the  above-mentioned  locality  feeding  on  a  species  of 


45 

mallow  {Malva  borealds).     Some  of  these  began  spinning  their  cocoons 

three  days  later,  and  by  November  14  all  had  spun  up.  Two  produced 
moths  December  12.  October  24,  1886,  a  larva  was  found  at  Los 
Angeles.  Cal..  feeding-  on  Niooticma  glauca.  This  produced  a  moth 
November  21.  Two  years  later.  February  18,  Mr.  Coquillett  captured 
a  moth  much  worn. 

The  above  notes  are  of  particular  interest  as  showing-  new  food  plants 
and  as  verifying  Professor  Gillette's  observations  on  the  hibernation 
of  the  species  in  the  adult  condition. 

We  would  naturally  expect  a  somewhat  different  life  history  as 
regards  dates  of  appearance  and  disappearance  in  localities  in  south- 
ern California,  so  different  from  that  of  Colorado.  According  to  Mr. 
Coquillett's  observations,  moths  were  rare  in  April,  but  became  abun- 
dant the  latter  part  of  May  and  during  June.  Adopting  the  hypoth- 
esis, if  it  can  be  called  such,  that  hibernation  takes  place  us  moth,  some 
moths  must  appear  in  curly  April  in  order  to  produce  mature  larvae  as 
early  as  May  25.  With  the  somewhat  incomplete  notes  on  actual  tie  Id 
observations,  it  would  appear  that  this  species,  like  many  other  Noc- 
tuids,  such  as  common  species  of  cutworm-,  has  a  spring  brood  and  a 
late  autumn  brood,  but  differs  from  most  cutworms  in  the  stage  of 
hibernation.  Between  the  first  and  second  generations  there  La  evi- 
dently a  very  long  season  of  aestivation  or  complete  quietude  passed 
under  the  ground  when  the  larva  does  not  feed. 

SUMMARY    OF    FOOD    PLANTS. 

As  with  other  larvae  that  frequently  or  occasionally  migrate  in  num- 
bers, the  beet  army  worm  is  liable  to  attack  most  forms  of  vegetation 
in  its  line  of  march.  Sugar  beet  appears  to  be  the  favorite  host  plant. 
but  table  beets  are  also  relished,  and  the  larva1  feed  quite  as  well  on 
Lambsquarters  (Chenopodium)  and  pigweed  (Amaranthus).  They  also 
attack  saltbush  or  saltweed  (Atriplex),  all  plants  rather  closely  related 
to  beets.  When  numerous  they  affect  corn,  potato,  pea.  onion,  wild 
sunflower,  the  leaves  of  apple,  mallow  (Malva).  Niootiana  glauca, 
Cleonie.  and  plantain  (Meyrick).  They  are  also  said  to  feed  on  wild 
grasses. 

NATURAL    ENEMIES. 

A  single  enemy  appears  to  be  recorded  for  the  beet  army  worm,  a 
Tachina  fly,  reared  at  this  office  May  °2\K  1S1<7.  from  a  caterpillar 
received  May  IT  of  that  year  from  Mr.  S.  A.  Pease.  San  Bernardino, 
Cal.  This  is  Frontina  archippivora  Will., a  rather  common  species  on 
the  Pacific  coast,  although  it  occurs  eastward  also.  It  is  a  parasite  of 
Agrotis  ypsilon^  a  destructive  cutworm,  as  well  as  of  other  moths  and 
some  butterflies  (Tech.  Ser. ,  No.  7.  Div.  Ent.,  p.  15). 


46 


METHODS   OF   CONTROL. 


Several  remedies  were  tried  in  Colorado  during  the  year  of  greatest 
infestation  there  with  satisfactory  results.  The.se  included  Paris  green 
and  kerosene  emulsion.  Both  killed  the  insects,  checking  their  num- 
bers for  the  following  year.  Paris  green  was  applied  in  the  form  of  a 
spray  and  dry,  mixed  with  flour.  Used  with  flour  it  cost  about  80 
cents  an  acre.  Two  sprayings  with  the  liquid  preparation  were  found 
to  be  most  effectual. 

When  this  species  occurs  in  fairly  injurious  numbers  the  remedies 
that  have  been  specified  should  be  sufficient.  When  it  is  unduly  abun- 
dant, however,  army -worm  remedies  should  be  applied.  The  latter 
form  of  remedies  is  discussed  in  Bulletin  No.  29  (n.  s.),  a  copy  of 
which  will  be  furnished  to  anyone  desiring  it. 

NOTES  ON  WEBWORMS. 

During  the  last  two  years  three  species  of  webworms  that  occur  in 
gardens  and  do  more  or  less  injury  to  various  crops  have  been  reported 
as  the  cause  of  damage  in  various  parts  of  our  country.  These  are  the 
garden  webworm,  beet  webworm,  and  imported  cabbage  worm,  each  of 
which  will  be  considered  under  a  separate  heading. 

THE    GARDEN    WEBWORM. 

{Loxostege  similalis  Guen.) a 

The  reported  injurious  abundance  of  the  garden  webworm  during 
the  year  1900  in  localities  in  three  different  States  indicate  that  this 
species  was  somewhat  generally  destructive  in  that  region  that  year. 
It  is  rather  singular  that,  although  the  insect  is  widely  distributed,  real 
injuries  by  it  appear  to  be  confined  to  the  States  bordering  the  Missis- 
sippi River  in  the  South.  Some  of  the  notes  given  show  that  it  has 
even  a  longer  list  of  food  plants  than  have  yet  been  credited  to  it. 

May  14,  1900,  Mr.  J.  D.  Mitchell,  Victoria,  Tex.,  reported  this  web- 
worm as  abundant  in  his  vicinity,  where  it  was  known  locally  as  the 
grass  worm,  a  name  which  it  shares  with  the  better-known  grass  worm 
or  fall  army  worm  (La/phygma  frugvperdd).     Its  favorite  food  in  that 

a  In  early  works  this  species  has  been  generally  referred  to  Eurycreon  rantalis  Guen., 
and  now  to  Phlyctaenodes  similalis  Gn.  The  following  synonymy  is  credited  by  Sir 
G.  F.  Hampson  (Pr.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  p.  210,  1899),  in  addition  to  eight  names 
bestowed  by  Walker: 

Phlyctaenodes  similalis  Guen.     Delt.  &  Pyr.,  p.  405. 

Nymphula  rantalis  Guen.     Delt.  &  Pyr.,  405. 

Botys  posticata  Grote  and  Rob.     Trans.  Am.  Ent.  Soc,  1,  p.  22,  pi.  2,  f.  25. 

Eurycreon  communis  Grote.     Can.  Ent.,  ix,  p.  105. 

Eurycreon  occiderdalis  Pack.     Ann.  X.  Y.  Lye,  x,  p.  260. 

The  list  of  Walker's  names  includes:  Ebulea  murcialis,  Botys  liccalis,  B.  siriusalis, 
Scopula  nestusalis,  crinisalis,  thoonalis,  and  diotimealis,  and  Sephopteryx  intraciella. 


47 

locality,  according  to  our  correspondent's  observations,  appears  to  con- 
sist in  the  finer  and  softer  forms  of  grasses,  such  as  buffalo,  crab,  and 
joint  grasses.  In  some  seasons  the  caterpillars  did  great  damage  in 
patches.  In  ordinary  }Tears  they  were  found  here,  as  elsewhere, 
"worming"  the  so-called  "careless  weed"  (Amaranthvs  spp.),  par- 
ticularly in  cotton  fields.  When  other  foods  failed  the  larva?  attacked 
young  cotton,  but  if  the  field  was  kept  clean  and  well  cultivated  it  was 
not  injured.  June  13  Mr.  W.  J.  Patton,  Springdale,  Washington 
County,  Ark., gave  information  that  the  moths  were  found  everywhere 
in  field  and  orchard  in  prodigious  numbers,  and  that  the  greatest  appre- 
hension was  felt  lest  the  larva?  which  would  develop  from  the  eggs 
deposited  by  the  moths  would  do  great  damage.  July  2L  Prof.  H.  A. 
Morgan,  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  wrote  that  this  webworm  was  a  pest  upon 
cotton  and  alfalfa  in  the  northern  portion  of  his  State. 

In  the  three  instances  of  injury  that  have  been  cited  communications 
were  accompanied  by  specimens. 

Tht  hirrti  at  maturity  is  somewhat  variable  in  color,  but  such  indi- 
viduals as  have  come  under  the  writer's  notice  from  different  sources 
are  usually  dull  pale  green  above  and  dull  greenish  yellow  on  the  lower 
surface.  The  dorsal  surface  is  strongly  marked  with  large  shining  jet- 
black  piliferous  spots,  more  or  less  distinctly  relieved  by  a  paler  border, 
and  there  is  a  median  double  pale  line  in  well-marked  individuals  and 
a  lateral  single  whitish  line,  while  below  this  line  the  piliferous  spots 
are  lighter.  The  head  is  dull  gray,  mottled  with  brown.  The  hairs 
proceeding  from  the  tubercles  are  mostly  single  and  black;  some  are 
in  pairs,  and  those  of  the  dorsal  surface  are  surrounded  by  a  small 
area  of  white,  and  of  the  ventral  surface  by  a  much  larger  area.  Just 
before  transformation  larva1  become  paler  yellow.  The  length  when 
full  grown  is  a  little  less  than  an  inch  (21-23mm). 

ORIGIN    AND    DISTRIBUTION    OF    THE    BEET    WEBWORM. 

(Loxostegi  sticticalis  Linn.  )a 

For  some  reason  writers  on  this  species,  which  is  shown  in  fig.  10, 
appear  to  have  overlooked  the  fact  that  it  is  not  native,  but  intro- 
duced from  abroad,  presumably  on  the  Pacific  coast,  whence  it  has 
found  its  way  eastward  to  Colorado  and  Nebraska.    From  specimens  in 

nThe  following  synonymy  has  been  indicated  by  Hanipson  (Proc.  Zool.  Soc. 
Lond.,  1899,  p.  211): 

Phlyctsenodes  sticticalis  Linn.     Faun.  Suec,  1354. 

Pyraiis  fuscalis  Hubn.     Pyr.  f.,  45. 

Pyraiis  tetragonalis  Haw.     Lep.  Brit.,  p.  385. 

Pyraiis  lupulina  CI.     Icon.,  pi.  ix,  f.  4. 

The  species  is  mentioned  by  Kaltenbach  as  Boti/*  sticticalis  Linn.,  and  Meyrick 
(Handb.  Brit.  Lep.,  1895,  p.  418)  preserves  the  better-known  name  of  Loxostege 
sticticalis  Linn. 


48 

the  National  Museum  it  seems  that  the  insect  was  collected  at  Palmer, 
Utah,  in  July,  1869,  which  is  evidence  that  it  must  have -been  intro- 
duced many  years  earlier.  In  1873  it  was  found  in  central  Missouri. 
It  has  been  taken  by  Messrs.  Dyar  and  Caudell  in  Denver,  Salida,  and 
Sedalia,  Colo.,  by  Cockerell  on  the  top  of  the  range  between  Sapola 
and  Pecos  rivers  in  New  Mexico  at  about  11,000  feet  elevation.  It  is 
also  recorded  from  Winnipeg,  Manitoba,  as  well  as  from  several 
localities  in  Nebraska,  Kansas,  and  Michigan.  It  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  observed  in  Illinois,  although  search  has  doubtless  been 
made  for  it  on  sugar  beets  cultivated  in  that  State.  Dr.  Dyar,  in  a 
note  to  the  writer,  generalizes  that  the  species  is  rather  common 
throughout  the  Rocky  Mountain  range. 

Meyrick  records  this  species  as  inhabiting  England,  Ireland,  western 
and  central  Europe,  and  northern  Asia,  as  well  as  North  America, 
and  mentions  its  occurrence  on  the  upper  side  of  the  leaves  of  Arte- 
misia vulgaris  and  campestris.  Kaltenbach  also  records  Artemisia  as  a 
food  plant. 


Fig.  10. — Loxosiegc  sticticalis:  a,  moth,  twice  natural  size;  b,  larva,  less  enlarged:  c,  upper  surface  of 
first  proleg  segment  of  larva;  (/,  side  view  of  same,  c,  d,  more  enlarged  (reengraved  after  Insect 
Life) . 

There  seems  no  reasonable  doubt  that  we  have  another  case  of 
introduction  from  Asia  into  the  Pacific  States  of  this  country,  analo- 
gous to  that  of  the  beet  army  worm  treated  in  preceding  pages.  There 
is  this  difference,  however,  that  the  present  species  was  introduced 
man}'  years  earlier,  has  a  much  wider  range,  and  is  capable  of  sustain- 
ing life  in  several  zones,  from  the  Lower  Austral,  perhaps  to  the 
Transition.  There  is  no  doubt  about  the  establishment  of  the  species 
in  the  Colorado  localities,  but  larvae  do  not  appear  to  have  been 
observed  in  the  localities  mentioned  in  New  Mexico  and  Manitoba, 
which  are  obviously  transitional. 


THE    IMPORTED   CABBAGE    WEBWORM. 

(HelhiJa  undalis  Fab. ) 

Up  to  November  19,  1900,  only  one  complaint  of  injury  effected  by 
the  imported  cabbage  webworm  reached  this  office.  It  was,  however, 
reported  from  a  new  locality  in  Georgia  by  Mr.  H.  Walter  Mc Williams, 


49 

of  Griffin,  in  a  letter  dated  November  15.  He  stated  that  this  insect 
had  been  very  destructive  daring  the  season.  December  1  he  sent 
specimens,  and  stated  that  the  insect  had  cost  some  of  his  neigh- 
bors several  hundred  dollars,  the  larvae  having  simply  eaten  the  buds 
from  all  the  ruta-bagas  and  turnips  in  the  settlement,  causing  the 
plants  to  rot  and  fail  to  develop  roots.  May  7.  1900,  Mr.  J.  H. 
Heard.  Montreal.  Ga.,  wrote  that  this  webworm  had  made  its  appear- 
ance in  his  vicinity  the  previous  vear. 

During  1901  Mr.  W.  M.  Scott,  State  entomologist.  Atlanta.  Ga.. 
wrote.  July  1.  that  this  species  was  still  prevalent  in  southern  Georgia. 
During  1900  it  appeared  in  injurious  numbers  at  Augusta.  Tifton, 
Albany,  Marshall vi lie,  Fort  Valley,  and  Meansville,  its  occurrence  in 
these  localities  indicating  that  it  was  generally  distributed  throughout 
the  southern  part  of  that  State.  A  Mr.  Long,  Leesburg,  Ga..  had 
informed  Mr.  Scott  that  only  the  week  before  writing  this  webworm 
had  practically  precluded  the  possibility  of  growing  late  cruciferous 
vegetables  in  that  section.  In  1900  his  crop  of  late  turnips  was 
entirely  destroyed  by  this  pot  as  if  by  lire.  October  28  Mr.  H.  Walter 
McWilliams  reported  this  species  still  present  at  Griffin,  Ga..  and 
likely  to  remain.  It  devoured  cabbage,  ruta-baga,  turnip,  rape,  etc. 
He  had  tried  several  mixtures,  but  without  any  noticeable  good  effects. 
November  :>  Miss  Blanche  Dix  sent  larvae  of  tin-  species  from  Beech 
Island.  S.  G.  In  an  earlier  letter  she  referred  to  having  observed  this 
species  present  on  cruciferous  crop  plants  in  that  locality. 

THE  RED  TURNIP  BEETLE. 
(SniomoaceHa  adomdu  Pall.) 

In  a  letter  dated  March  9.  1900,  Mr.  Percy  B.  Gregson.  Waghorn, 
Alberta.  Northwest  Territory,  wrote  that  this  species  was  very  abun- 
dant in  several  districts  in  his  vicinity,  and  that  even  so  late  as  Octo- 
ber, 1899,  he  had  letters  from  farmers  complaining  of  it.  June  i>(.»  our 
correspondent  sent  specimens  of  the  beetles  noticed  in  coitu  at  the  time 
of  gathering  them,  and  when  they  reached  this  office  July  9.  eggs 
were  found  in  the  soil  in  which  they  had  been  packed.  In  1901  this 
insect  was  also  troublesome  in  the  same  region. 

This  species  is  occasionally  troublesome  through  its  ravages  on  tur- 
nip, cabbage,  and  other  crucifers  in  the  Northwest.  Up  to  date,  how- 
ever, it  has  attracted  little  or  no  attention  in  the  United  States, 
receiving  frequent  mention,  however,  in  different  Canadian  publica- 
tions, chiefly  by  Dr.  James  Fletcher,  in  his  annual  reports  as  Entom- 
ologist and  Botanist  of  the  Dominion  of  Canada. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

Tfu  beetle. — The  adult  of  this  insect,  as  its  common  name  would  indi- 
cate, is  red;  at  first  glance  nearly  scarlet.     The  under  surface  of  the 
23987— No.  33—02 1 


50 

body  is  black,  as  arc  also  the  eyes,  legs,  and  antenna?.  The  dorsal  sur- 
face is  mostly  red,  with  the  middle  portion  of  the  thorax  black.  The 
elytra  are  ornamented  with  three  stripes,  a  rather  narrow  sutural  one, 
and  a  shorter  black  stripe  on  each  side,  about  midway  between  the 
suture  and  the  margins.  (See  fig.  11.)  The  punctation  of  the  elytra 
is  dense  and  rather  line.  The  form  of  the  bod}^  is  elongate  oval.  The 
length  is  about  one-fourth  inch  or  longer.  The  species  belongs  to  a 
genus  represented  by  several  forms  in  Europe,  but  it  is  the  sole  rep- 
resentative of  its  genus  in  this  country.  Zoologically,  Entomoscelis 
is  placed  near  Chrysomela;  hence  this  insect  is  a  relative  of  the  Colo- 
rado potato  beetle  {Chrysomela  [Dort/phora]  decemlineata).  It  is  char- 
acterized by  having  a  long  metasternum  and  closed  front  coxal  cavities, 
having  the  tibia?  gradually  but  not  strongly  dilated  at  the  apices,  the 

outer   face   deeply   concave,   the   distal   edge 
obtusely  angulated,  and  the  claws  simple. 

The  egg  is  elliptical  in  form,  twice  or  a  little 
more  than  twice  as  long  as  wide  at  its  greatest 
diameter,  deep  blood-red  in  color,  and  finely 
hexagonally  granulated,  the  areas  being  just 
discernable  with  a  one-fourth-inch  hand  lens. 
Length,  1.50  to  1.60mm;  width,  0.75  to  0.80mm. 
The  larva  has  been  fully  described  by  Doctor 
Fletcher  and  others,  who  will  be  quoted. 
When  first  hatched  it  is  orange,  with  black 
fig. ii.— Entomoscelis adonidis—    spots,  but  turns  black  in  twent}r-four  hours. 

much  enlarged  (original).  ^    .g  ^   wedge.shaped?  and  meaSUreS    about 

2mm  in  length.  It  undergoes  two  molts.  In  the  second  stage  it  meas- 
ures 3.25mm  when  not  extended.  The  body  is  now  slug-shaped,  flat- 
tened below  and  rounded  above;  not  narrowed  at  the  thorax,  as  is  the 
case  with  the  larva  of  the  Colorado  potato  beetle.  In  the  third  stage 
the  larva  measures  about  5mm,  and  does  not  differ  materially  from 
the  second  stage.  When  fully  mature  the  larva  reaches  a  length 
of  about  one-half  an  inch  (12mra). 

The  pupa  is  bright  orange  in  color,  the  wing,  antennal,  and  leg 
cases,  honey-yellow,  the  first  mentioned  bearing  each  three  longitudinal 
stria?. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

This  species  is  common  to  North  America,  Europe,  and  Asia,  and 
evidently  belongs  to  what  is  known  as  the  circumpolar  fauna;  in  other 
words,  it  is  not  of  recent  introduction,  but  is  native  to  the  boreal 
regions  of  both  the  old  and  new  world. 

According  to  Doctor  Hamilton  (Trans.  Am.  Ent.  Soc,  Vol.  XXI,  1894,  p.  397),  it  is 
to  be  found  everywhere  through  the  Rocky  Mountains  at  8,000  to  11,000  feet  eleva- 
tion (Bowditch).  A  more  exact  list  of  localities  includes  Montana,  Hesterburg's 
Lane,  Colorado  (Cockerell);  British  Columbia;  Fort  Simpson  and  Mackenzie  River, 
Alaska    (Leconte);  the  Hudson  Bay  region,   Minnedosa,    Elkhorn,   Brandon,   and 


51 

Lorlie,  Manitoba;  Alberta,  Saskatoon,  Yorkton,  Grenfell,  Pheasant  Forks,  and  Regina, 
Northwest  Territory.  According  to  Fletcher,  it  is  rare  toward  the  eastern  and 
western  limits  of  its  range.  The  foreign  distribution  comprises  southern  Europe, 
including  France,  Austria,  Germany,  Roumania,  Western  and  Eastern  Siberia  to 
Turkestan. 

DIVISIONAL    RECORDS. 

Writing  December  1;  1000,  Mr.  Gregson  .stated  that  immediately 
after  the  receipt  of  the  writer's  letter,  dated  August  22,  be  paid  a 
visit  to  the  farm  where  Swede  turnips  were  being-  injured  by  this 
species.  Many  of  the  beetles  were  still  feeding,  and  he  succeeded  in 
securing  a  number  of  eggs,  as  many  of  the  individuals  captured  were 
in  copulation.  About  this  time  the  weather  turned  very  cold,  snow 
falling  to  a  depth  of  many  inches,  with  an  extremely  low  temperature 
for  September,  the  result  being  that  none  of  the  eggs  hatched.  The 
eggs  obtained  by  the  writer  at  Washington  during  the  extremely  hot 
weather  also  failed  to  hatch. 

These  observations  are  in  uniformity  with  those  made  by  M.  Lesne 
in  Roumania  and  Dr.  Fletcher  and  his  correspondents  in  the  North- 
west Territory  of  Canada,  conclusively  showing  that  eggf>  do  not 
hatch  until  the  following  spring. 

According  to  Mr.  Gregson's  observations,  the  eggs  are  never  found 
on  growing  foliage.  They  arc  deposited  invariably  under  dead  leaves 
and  in  similar  rubbish  on  the  ground,  or  under  a  small  clod  of  earth 
or  other  shelter  about  the  roots  of  turnip  or  other  food  plant.  The 
larva1  appear  to  attack  plants  chiefly  at  night. 

Writing  August  15,  1900,  our  correspondent  stated  that  he  had 
recently  left  a  district  very  badly  infested  with  this  species.  One  of 
the  farmers  whose  crop  was  inspected  had  just  planted  out  his  third 
lot  of  young  cabbages,  and  had  also  resown  his  turnips  three  times, 
each  crop  having  been  destroyed  by  this  pest,  larvae  and  beetles  of 
which  were  at  work. 

September  6,  1901,  Mr.  Gregson  stated  that  he  had  kept  careful 
watch  for  this  species  during  the  year,  and  had  made  special  visits  to 
farms  where  in  ordinary  years  he  had  always  reckoned  on  finding  plenty 
of  the  beetles.  He  had  also  received  letters  from  different  farmers 
who  had  been  on  the  lookout  for  this  species,  but  the  insect  had  appar- 
ently entirely  disappeared,  at  least  temporarily,  from  that  portion  of 
Alberta,  Northwest  Territory.  It  is  probable  that  atmospheric  condi- 
tions have  been  responsible  for  the  insect's  nonappearance  during  the 
year.  In  that  vicinity  an  unprecedentedly  wet  year  was  experienced  in 
1900,  and  a  still  wetter  spring  and  summer  followed  in  1901.  Assuming 
that  this  has  been  prejudicial  to  the  beetles,  it  is  quite  evident  that  this 
species  is  largely  dependent  upon  the  weather  for  its  multiplication, 
and  that  it  prefers  dry  weather.  This  statement  is  borne  out  by  M. 
Lesne,  who  writes  that  kk droughts  favor  its  multiplication  while  cold 
and  rainy  weather  greatly  retard  it.1'  Had  it  appeared  in  consider- 
able numbers,  Mr.  Gregson  writes  he  would  certainly  have  heard  of  it. 


52 


HISTORY    AND    LITERATURE. 


Entomoscelis  adonidis  was  given  its  specific  name  by  Pallas  in  1771 
(Reisen  durch  versch.  Prov.  des  Russ.  Reiches,  etc.,  Vols.  I,  2,  p.  163), 
the  description  appearing  under  the  genus  Chrysomela.  It  has  also 
been  placed  in  the  genus  Pha?don  (Kirby,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.)  and  was 
described  by  Fabricius  as  trilineata  (Gen.  Ins.  Mant.,  1777,  p.  219). 
Kiinstler,  Koppen,  Weise,  Tomosvary,  Lesne,  and  other  European 
writers  have  furnished  descriptions  of  the  larva.  (See  Rupertsberger 
Biol.  Lit.  Kafer  Europas  von  1880  an.  etc,  1894,  p.  259.) 

Rape  {Brass leu  napus),  Cochlearia  draba,  butter-bur  (Petasites  peta- 
sites  [officinalis],  and  Adonis  autumnalis  have  been  recorded  as  food 
plants  by  European  authors,  as  also  thistle  and  barle\T  (Korn). 

Of  recent  publications  the  reader  is  referred  to  Erichson's  Naturge- 
schichte  der  Insecten  Deutchlands  (Vol.  VI,  p.  310-312)  and  Lesne  in 
the  Annales  de  la  Societe  Entomologiques  de  France  for  1890  (Vol.  VI, 
pp.  177-179,  figs.  1-9),  for  technical  descriptions  and  bibliograplvy, 
as  also  to  Dr.  Fletcher's  works,  which  will  presently  be  mentioned. 
M.  Lesne's  article  is  accompanied  Irv  an  illustration  of  the  larva. 

What  appears  to  be  the  first  instance  of  attack  by  the  red  turnip 
beetle  on  cultivated  plants  in  America  was  recorded  b}^  Dr.  Fletcher 
in  his  report  as  entomologist  and  botanist  for  the  3Tear  1887  (1888,  p. 
19).  He  states  briefly  that  he  collected  this  species  on  turnips  at 
Regina,  Northwest  Territory,  in  August,  1885.  The  beetles  were 
noticed  to  be  sluggish  in  their  habits,  like  the  Colorado  potato  beetle, 
and  it  was  said  that  they  did  not  occur  in  sufficient  numbers  to  do 
much  injury,  although  they  were  sufficiently  abundant  to  show7  that 
with  the  increase  in  cultivation  of  its  food  plant  the  species  might  in 
time  develop  into  a  troublesome  pest. 

In  his  report  for  1891  (1892,  p.  202),  the  same  writer  gives  addi- 
tional notes  in  regard  to  the  occurrence  of  this  species  in  Northwest 
Territory  and  Manitoba.  Extracts  from  correspondence  are  given 
from  six  different  localities  showing  attack  on  turnip,  cabbage,  and  rad- 
ish, it  being  noticed  that  rutabaga  was  very  little  troubled,  provided 
other  more  preferred  crucifers  were  available.  The  choice  food 
plant  appeared  to  be  rough-leaved  varieties  of  turnip  in  preference 
to  smooth-leaved  varieties  and  some  other  plants. 

In  his  report  for  the  following  year  (pp.  152-155)  Dr.  Fletcher 
gave  a  still  longer  account  of  this  species,  with  extracts  from  corre- 
spondence from  several  sources  and  detailed  descriptions  of  the  differ- 
ent stages  with  references  to  P^uropean  publications. 

In  1893.  according  to  the  same  writer's  report  for  that  year  (1891, 
p.  17),  the  species  again  attracted  attention,  it  being  noticed  that  the 
beetles  made  their  first  appearance  according  to  Mr.  Thomas  Copland, 
Saskatoon.   Northwest  Territory.   June  17,  and  that  the  beetles  fed 


53 

upon  a  common  cruciferous  weed,  the  prairie  wall  flower  {Erysimum 
parvijlorum). 

Brief  mention  is  made  of  this  insect  by  Dr.  Fletcher  in  the  Trans- 
actions of  the  Royal  Society  of  Canada  for  1899-1900  (vol.  V,  2d  ser., 
p.  212). 

NATURAL   HISTORY. 

From  the  sources  of  information  that  have  been  furnished,  it 
appears  that  eggs  are  laid  normally  in  autumn,  although  sometimes 
earlier,  and  that  the  species  hibernates  in  this  stage.  The  larvae 
hatch  in  early  spring  long  before  cultivated  crucifers  appear  above 
ground.  According  to  Dr.  Fletcher,  the  larvae  feed  both  in  the  day- 
time and  by  night,  and  are  comparatively  active,  although,  as  is  well 
known,  the  larvae  of  the  larger  leaf-beetles  are  mostly  rather  sluggish. 
When  disturbed  they  drop  from  their  food  plant. 

The  beetles  seem  to  make  their  first  appearance  in  the  Northwest 
Territories  during  July  and  August,  and  do  their  worst  injury  through- 
out September,  continuing  in  the  field  in  some  instances  as  late  as 
October.  The  occurrence  of  the  beetles  in  the  latter  part  of  June,  as 
noted  by  Mr.  Gregson,  at  Waghorn,  is  perhaps  rather  exceptional. 

Eggs  are  laid  in  clusters,  loosely  fastened  together  in  the  same 
manner  as  those  of  the  Colorado  potato  beetle,  and  are  deposited 
under  clods  or  in  cracks  in  the  soil  in  similar  locations. 

Larvae  have  been  noticed  to  bury  themselves  in  the  earth  to  a  depth 
of  about  an  inch,  and  to  change  at  once,  in  small  smooth  cavities,  to 
pupae. 

REMEDIES. 

The  measures  to  be  employed  for  the  destruction  of  this  turnip 
beetle  are  practically  the  same  as  those  used  against  the  Colorado 
potato  beetle.  Paris  green  is  the  best  of  these,  and  may  be  applied 
dry,  mixed  with  from  ten  to  twenty  parts  of  cheap  or  spoiled  flour, 
fine  plaster,  or  air-slaked  lime;  or  as  a  spray,  mixed  with  lime  or 
Bordeaux  mixture  at  the  rate  of  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  the  Paris 
green  to  40  gallons  of  the  diluent.  In  order  to  insure  success,  where 
the  insect  abounds  in  great  numbers  the  wild  food  plants  of  the  insect 
should  also  be  treated. 

Hand-picking  or  jarring  the  beetles  from  infested  plants  into  pans 
or  other  receptacles  containing  a  little  water  on  which  a  thin  scum  of 
kerosene  is  floating  may  also  be  employed.  It  follows,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  that  rotation  of  crops  is  advisable;  and  the  planting  of  crops 
subject  to  the  attack  of  this  species,  particularly  crucifers,  should  be 
avoided  in  the  vicinity  of  wild  plants  affected  by  the  same  species. 


54 
THE  CROSS-STRIPED  CABBAGE  WORM. 

(Pionea  rimosalis  Guen. )  a 

This  destructive  enemy  of  cabbage  and  other  cruciferous  crops, 
after  an  apparently  complete  absence  from  the  neighborhood  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  in  1899  made  its  appearance  in  great  numbers 
in  May  and  June  of  1900  in  different  fields  of  cabbage  at  Brookland, 
D.  C,  and  was  found  later  in  most  gardens  in  which  cabbages  were 
grown  in  near-by  localities  in  the  neighboring  States  of  Maryland 
and  Virginia.  In  nearly  every  case  that  came  under  notice  that  year 
the  species  was  much  more  abundant  on  cabbage  than  the  larva  of  the 
common  imported  cabbage  butterfly  (Pieris  rapae),  and  it  was  noticed 
that  although  it  works  in  much  the  same  manner  as  this  latter  species, 
it  dug  still  more  deeply  into  the  heads,  and  in  many  cases  completely 
destroyed  cabbage  by  eating  out  the  hearts  while  young  and  tender. 

The  insect  continued  to  be  the  most  destructive  cabbage  pest  in  this 
vicinity  until  late  August,  when  it  was  replaced  by  the  cabbage  looper, 
and  in  some  restricted  localities  and  on  other  plants  than  cabbage — 
horse-radish,  for  example — by  the  harlequin  cabbage  bug. 

This  species  first  became  known  as  an  enemy  of  cruciferous  crops 
'over  twenty  years  prior  to  the  date  of  writing,  but  since  that  time  has 
not  attracted  the  attention  that  would  seem  to  be  warranted  b}T  its  man- 
ner of  attack.  For  some  reason  it  does  not  seem  to  have  multiplied 
to  any  great  extent  during  that  time,  except  locally,  until  1900.  When 
conditions  favor  its  increase  there  is  no  reason  why  it  should  not  take 
rank  as  one  of  the  foremost  cabbage  pests. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

The  moth  is  pale  ocher  yellow  in  color,  the  fore-wings  much  suffused 
with  fuscous  and  brownish  black,  the  pattern  formed  being  about  as 
shown  in  fig.  12,  a,  subject  to  some  variation.  The  hind-wings  are 
paler,  nearly  transparent  except  at  the  anterior  angle,  where  they  are 
infuscated.  There  is  also  a  row  of  five  or  six  small,  dusky  spots 
between  the  middle  of  each  hind-wing  and  the  inner  border.  The 
wing  expanse  is  about  1  inch  (25mm),  and  the  length  of  the  body  less 
than  half  an  inch  (10mm). 

The  eggs  (fig.  12.  I)  are  laid  in  masses,  and,  being  flattened  and  over- 
lapping like  the  scales  of  a  fish,  strongly  resemble  the  masses  deposited 
by  Tortricida?.  The  outline  of  an  individual  egg  is  rounded  oval, 
the  longest  diameter  being  1.2mm  and  the  shortest  diameter  0.9  to 
1 . 0nn".  The  eggs  are  rather  bright  light  yellow  in  color,  and  so  thin  that 
the  green  of  the  leaf  on  wThich  they  are  deposited  can  be  seen  through 

aThis  species  has  been  restored  to  the  genus  Evergestis  by  Sir  G.  F.  Hampson 
(Rev.  Pyraustidae,  Pt.  II,  Pr.  Z.  S.  Lood.,  p.  186,  1899),  and  the  genus  Pionea  is 
reserved  for  other  species. 


55 


the  middle,  the  yellow  eolor  showing  strongest  about  the  margins. 
The  sculpture  is  fine,  but  strong  and  very  irregular,  the  areas  showing 
as  irregular  triangles,  quadrangles,  and  pentagons  (c).  They  are 
usually  deposited  on  the  under  surface  of  the  leaf  and  in  masses  of 
from  one  to  two  score,  although  smaller  masses  of  from  two  to  three 
or  live  eggs  are  not  uncommon. 

The  newly-hatched  larva  is  nearly  uniform  gray  in  color,  with  small 
black  tubercles  and  no  visible  evidence  of  striation.  The  head  is 
round  and  prominent  and  nearly  twice  as  wide  as  the  body,  and  the 
hairs  of  the  body  are  sparse  and  about  as  long  as  the  width  of  the  head. 

The  full-grown  larva. — The  larva  when  mature  is  bluish-gray  above, 
with  conspicuous  transverse  black  stripes.  The  head  is  yellowish  or 
light  brown,  the  thoracic  plate  mottled  (fig.  12,  <:7),  and  each  segment 
has  three  or  more  well-defined,  nearly  straight  or  curved,  transverse 
stripes.  (On  the  second  and  third  thoracic  segments  the  first  stria 
curves  forward  between  the  anterior  tubercles.)     The  dorsal  tubercles, 


Fig.  Vl.—Pionra  rimosalis:  a,  moth;  b,  egg  mass;  e,  sculpture  of  egg:  (/,  larva;  e,  cocoon— a,  d,  e,  twice 
natural  size;  b,  much  enlarged;  c,  more  enlarged  (original). 

of  which  there  arc  two  pair  of  prominent  ones  in  each  segment,  are 
gray,  partially  encircled  with  black.  There  is  a  wide  stigmatal  line 
of  bright  yellow  extending  from  the  second  to  the  last  segments,  and 
above  each  spiracle  there  is  a  large  prominent  black  tubercle.  The 
ventral  surface  is  green-,  somewhat  mottled  with  yellowish,  and  the 
tubercles  bear  each  a  long,  black  hair  about  half  as  long  as  the  width 
of  the  body.  In  form  the  larva  is  subcylindrical,  moderately  slender, 
about  six  times  as  long  as  wide,  and  the  segments  of  the  body  show 
strongly  at  the  sides.  The  length  of  the  mature  larva  is  about  six- 
tenths  of  an  inch,  15mm  in  repose,  17mm  when  fully  extended,  and  the 
greatest  diameter  is  about  2.^mm. 

Thejmpa  is  of  the  usual  pyraustid  form,  the  wing-cases  and  head 
dark  brown  and  the  abdomen  light  yellowish  brown.  "Head  small, 
rounded,  with  a  slight  transverse  notch  anteriorly;  wing,  antennal  and 
posterior  leg-sheaths  extending  nearly  to  tip  of  fifth  abdominal  joint. 
Abdominal  joints  v\  itb  sutures  plainly  marked,  the  two  terminal  joints 


56 

closely  welded  together  and  forming-  a  conical  tip,  at  the  extremity  of 
which  are  two  very  minute  brown  tubercles"  (Riley).  The  length  is 
11  to  12mm,  or  a  little  less  than  half  an  inch. 

The  cocoon. — Transformation  to  pupa  takes  place  in  a  cocoon  formed 
of  earth  and  constructed  near  the  surface.  The  appearance  of  a  cocoon 
is  well  illustrated  at  e  of  figure  12.  The  measurement  is  a  little  less 
than  live-eighths  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  three-eighths  of  an  inch  in 
diameter.  The  outer  grains  of  sand  are  rather  loosety  held  together, 
but  the  interior  is  fairly  substantial,  the  lining  being  of  light-gray 
color,  nearly  white. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

So  far  as  the  writer  is  aware,  no  comprehensive  list  of  localities  of 
this  species,  or  other  data  that  give  any  idea  of  the  insect's  distribu- 
tion, have  ever  been  published.  From  material  received  at  this  office 
and  at  the  National  Museum,  and  from  reports  of  correspondents,  the 
following  list  of  localities  has  been  compiled: 

Newark  and  Dover,  Del.;  Cabin  John,  Marshall  Hall,  and  elsewhere  in  Maryland; 
Cameron's  Mills,  Carterton,  Chesterbrook,  St.  Elmo,  and  Alexandria,  Va. ;  Brookland 
and  elsewhere  in  the  District  of  Columbia;  Lexington,  Ky. ;  Springfield,  Ohio; 
Aurora  and  Lafayette,  Ind. ;  Mount  Juliet,  Tenn. ;  Carbondale  and  Anna,  111. ;  Raleigh, 
N.  C. ;  Montreal,  Athens,  Macon,  and  Storeville,  Ga. ;  Alabama;  Lone  Star,  Oxford, 
and  Agricultural  College,  Miss. ;  West  Point,  Nebr. 

From  the  above  list  it  would  seem  that  the  southern  distribution  of 
this  species  and  its  southern  origin  are  well  established.  The  moth 
has  been  recorded  as  occurring  farther  west  and  north,  but  injurious 
occurrences  are  lacking,  at  least  in  reports  of  injuries  sent  to  this 
office.  It  seems,  therefore,  that  the  species  attains  its  highest  devel- 
opment in  the  LoAver  Austral  life  zone,  although  occasionally  it 
invades  the  Upper  Austral  and  even,  perhaps,  the  Transition  area. 
This,  however,  is  only  temporary. 

RECENT   INJURY. 

During  1899  we  received  this  species  from  Mr.  E.  Dwight  Sander- 
son, at  that  time  at  Raleigh,  N.  C,  September  18.  They  were  found 
in  numbers  on  cabbage.  July  28,  Mr.  S.  S.  Simms,  Storeville,  For- 
syth County,  Ga.,  sent  this  species,  also  found  on  cabbage.  Septem- 
ber 18,  Mr.  Thos.  I.  Todd,  Athens,  Ga.,  sent  the  species,  with  the 
accompanying  information  that  it  did  great  damage  that  year  feeding 
in  the  buds  and  tender  leaves  of  cabbage  and  turnip,  and  stated  also 
that  it  was  known  as  "the^common  webworm,"  in  contradistinction  to 
the  imported  cabbage  web  worm  (Hellula  undalis).  He  stated  that 
this  species  succumbed  to  Paris  green  and  pyrethrum  dusted  upon  the 
plants,  where  the  imported  species  did  not. 

In  1900,  Mr.  J.  H.  Heard,  Montreal,  Ga.,  sent  this  cabbage  worm, 
Jnly  5,  with  information  that  it  was  concerned  in  attack  on  cabbage 


57 

in  that  vicinity.  We  received.  August  6,  specimens  of  this  species 
from  Dr.  E.  K.  Harding,  Carterton.  Va.,  where  they  were  attacking 
cabbage. 

NUMBER   AND    OCCURRENCE    OF   GENERATIONS. 

Observations  conducted  during  the  season  of  1900  indicate  the  pres- 
ence of  four  generations  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  vicinity. 
From  larvae  obtained  in  the  latter  days  of  May  and  in  early  June  in 
different  fields  of  cabbage,  in  and  near  the  District  of  Columbia,  moths 
were  obtained  during  the  last  days  of  June  and  until  July  6. 

The  second  generation  produced  from  the  first  of  these  moths  and 
placed  in  a  rearing  cage  July  '2.  issued  August  1.  having  passed  all 
stages  in  just  thirty  days,  which  will  come  very  near  to  being  the  mini- 
mum period  for  this  latitude,  since  the  heat  was  excessive  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  month  of  July. 

The  third  generation  began  to  appear  in  the  rearing  cages,  on  Sep- 
tember 1.  from  moths  which  issued  August  1,  or  in  thirty-one  days, 
the  temperature  during  that  period,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  days, 
having  been  about  the  same  as  in  July. 

The  fourth  generation,  as  might  naturally  be  expected,  failed  to 
develop  in  confinement,  and  it  seem>  probable  that  this  was  the  last 
generation  produced  in  the  field.  This  was  only  apparent,  however. 
for  after  repeated  failures  to  find  the  larva  in  the  field,  a  colony  was 
taken  September  21  in  a  small  head  of  cabbage.  This  last  colony  was 
obtained  on  the  Department  grounds,  and  was  evidently  the  progeny 
of  moths  which  had  purposely  been  liberated  from  our  rearing  jar-,  so 
that  it  represents  in  all  probability  the  normal  fourth  generation. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  from  the  above  that  there  is  any  such 
regularity  of  development  except  in  a  single  season  and  in  a  given 
locality.  At  other  times,  from  specimens  gathered  where  the  tem- 
perature was  somewhat  different,  moths  were  reared  July  14:  larvae 
were  obtained,  nearly  all  mature.  July  30.  From  other  lots  moths 
have  issued  August  9  and  10.  In  one  instance  larvae  were  noticed  to 
mature  August  20,  and  to  develop  as  moths  September  1,  giving  ten 
days  for  the  period  occupied  by  the  larva  in  the  cocoon.  Perhaps 
two  or  three  days  elapsed  before  the  larvae  changed  to  chrysalides. 
In  still  another  case  larvae  were  found  to  enter  the  earth  August  29 
and  30,  and  moths  developed  September  9,  giving  about  the  same 
period  as  just  mentioned. 

SUMMARY    OF    LIFE    HISTORY. 

Observations  conducted  by  the  writer  go  to  show  that  in  many 
respects  this  cabbage  worm,  although  the  larva  of  a  moth,  conforms 
very  closely  in  its  life  economy  to  the  imported  cabbage  butterfly. 
It  is  attacked  by  some  of  the  same  natural  enemies,  and  appears  to 
differ  from  the  imported  species  only  in  unimportant  details.     Like 


58 

the  imported  worm,  it  makes  its  first  appearance  some  time  in  April 
in  the  vicing  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 

The  eggs  hatch  in  six  days  in  hot  July  weather,  a  longer  time  being 
required  in  a  cooler  atmosphere.  The  stage  passed  in  the  cocoon  in 
warm  weather  has  been  observed  to  be  ten  days.  Part  of  this  time 
the  larvae  were  probably  quiescent.  The  exact  pupal  stage  was  not 
observed,  but  probably  varies  from  six  days  to  considerably  longer, 
according  to  temperature.  The  period  of  the  larva  varies  from  two 
to  three  weeks,  and  perhaps  longer  in  cool  weather. 

NATURAL    ENEMIES. 

The  cross-striped  cabbage  worm  is  subject  to  the  attack  of  small 
four-winged  parasites  of  the  genus  Apanteles,  and  a  few  other  natural 
enemies,  including  wasps,  destro}^  it. 

Apanteles  congregates  Say  is  recorded  as  having  bred  from  material 
received  in  1880  from  Mississippi  (Report  Com.  Agr.,  1883,  p.  127). 

A.  utilis  French  was  reared  from  material  received  from  Lone  Star, 
Miss.,  October  17,  1879  (Insect  Life,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  16). 

A.  xylina  Say  was  reared  from  cocoons  on  and  with  its  host  by  Dr. 
A.  D.  Hopkins,  Morgantown,  W.  Va.,  July  26.  Of  this  latter  occur- 
rence, Dr.  Hopkins  (1.  c,  Vol.  IV,  p.  259)  remarked:  "This  species 
was  found  pJentifully  wherever  the  host  was  observed.  Gardeners 
generally  were  destroying  the  cocoons,  supposing  they  were  the  eggs 
of  the  caterpillars." 

A.  la&viceps  Ashm.  issued  September  30  from  larvae  obtained  in  1899 
from  Athens,  Ga. 

A.  alamedensis  Ashm.  was  reared  July  16,  1900,  from  larva?  obtained 
from  Montreal,  Ga.,  and  sent  to  this  office  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Heard.  Fully 
half  of  the  larva?  (a  large  number)  were  parasitized. 

Meteorus  indagator  Riley  MS.,  issued  from  material  received  from 
Oxford,  Miss.,  September  1880  (1.  c,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  59). 

REMEDIES. 

In  treating  this  species  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  "worms"  of 
other  species  as  well  as  other  cabbage  pests  are  more  often  present  than 
otherwise. 

Arsenicals. — The  best  remedy  is  Paris  green  applied  either  dry  or 
wet,  preferabl},  however,  as  a  spray,  at  the  rate  of  about  one  pound 
of  the  poison  to  150  gallons  or  a  little  less  of  water,  and  it  should  be 
used  when  the  plants  are  first  set  out,  to  insure  its  reaching  the  young 
larvae  or  caterpillars  before  they  have  burrowed  far  into  the  heads; 
in  other  words,  this  poison  should  be  applied  in  the  same  manner  as 
for  the  imported  cabbage  worm,  as  the  two  species  have  much  the  same 
habits.  Other  applications  should  follow  frequently,  as  required,  and 
can   be  made  with  safety  until  the  heads  are  about  half   formed,  and 


59 

even  later,  as  the  poison,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  disappears  from 
the  plants  within  three  or  four  weeks  after  being-  applied. 

I  Iran  mash. — A  mixture  of  bran  with  Paris  green,  a  standard  remedy 
for  cutworms  and  grasshoppers,  is,  according  to  the  testimony  of  those 
who  have  used  it,  successful  against  cabbage  worms.  It  is  best  to  mix 
the  bran  with  water  and  sugar  before  adding  the  poison.  The  propor- 
tions are  two  or  three  ounces  of  sugar  or  other  sweetening,  and  a  suffi- 
cient amount  of  bran  (about  one  pound  to  the  gallon)  to  make,  when 
stirred,  a  mixture  that  will  readily  run  through  the  lingers.  This  is 
to  be  sprinkled  either  wet  or  dry  upon  affected  plants. 

KeroSi  rn  >  mvlsimi  has  been  used  for  many  years  against  the  imported 
cabbage  worm,  but  is  not  as  efficient  as  the  arsenicals,  because  it  is 
necessary  for  this  spray  to  come  into  direct  contact  with  the  larvae, 
in  other  words,  to  hit  them  in  order  to  kill  them. 

Pyrethruiu  has  been  used  for  some  years  as  a  remedy  against  the 
common  cabbage  worm,  and  is  of  use  against  the  present  species.  It 
has  the  advantage  of  not  being  poisonous  to  human  beings,  but  is  said 
by  some  cabbage  growers  to  discolor  the  leaves,  and  if  its  use  is  not 
continued  at  frequent  intervals  the  larva'  recover  and  continue  their 
destruction.  It  is  therefore  more  expensive  than  the  other  remedies 
that  have  been  mentioned. 

Mechanical  methods. — For  small  gardens  where  for  any  reason  it 
may  be  undesirable  to  use  arsenicals  hand-picking  can  be  practiced  and 
is  of  especial  value  when  the  plants  are  first  set  out. 

TJu.  corn-meal  remedy. — Corn  meal  dusted  on  cabbage,  according  to 
the  testimony  of  Prof.  Lawrence  Bruner,  causes  the  worms  of  the 
imported  cabbage  butterfly  to  dropoff  and  protects  cabbage  and  other 
crops  until  washed  off  by  rains.  It  is  advised  to  apply  it  in  the  morn- 
ing while  the  dew  is  on.     The  meal  acts  as  a  deterrent. 

Clean  cultivation  and  trap  crops. — If  cooperation  in  clean  farming 
could  be  secured,  together  with  the  use  of  arsenicals.  the  losses  due 
to  the  ravages  of  this  as  well  as  other  leaf -feeding  pests  of  cabbage 
might  be  largely  averted.  The  practice  of  leaving  cabbage  stalks  in 
the  field  after  the  main  crop  has  been  secured  is  reprehensible.  Rem- 
nants should  be  gathered  and  destroyed,  with  exception  of  a  few  left 
at  regular  intervals  through  a  field  as  traps  for  the  females  for  the 
deposition  of  their  eggs.  These  plants  should  be  freely  poisoned  with 
arsenicals.  where  feasible,  so  that  the  last  generation  will  not  develop. 

W<it<  r  as  a  r<  medy. — Washing  the  plants  with  a  stiff  stream  from  a 
hose  is  of  value  where  this  can  conveniently  be  done. 

Hot  water  at  a  temperature  of  about  130°  F.  has  been  advised  as  a 
remedy  against  cabbage  worms.  Applied  at  this  temperature  it  does 
practically  no  harm  to  plants  and  destroys  all  insects  with  which  it 
comes  in  contact. 


60 
THE  CABBAGE  LOOPER. 

( Plusia  brassicic  Biley. ) 

The  remarkable  scarcity  of  this  species  during  the  entire  spring, 
summer,  and  autumn  of  1899  has  been  mentioned  in  an  earlier  article 
(Bui.  2C2,  n.  s.,  p.  59).  It  was,  therefore,  a  cause  of  considerable  sur- 
prise to  find  larvae  in  abundance  during  the  last  week  of  November  in 
1900,  the  work  of  this  species  and  Pieris  rajpse,  being  quite  noticeable 
on  the  older  leaves  of  cabbage.  The  finding  of  larvae  only  a  quarter 
grown  showed  that  eggs  had  been  deposited  during  the  month. 

Larvae  were  kept  in  a  cool  indoor  temperature  and  fed  freely  on  cab- 
bage leaves.  All  but  one,  however,  sickened  and  died  within  a  week 
after  capture.  The  last  larvae  of  this  lot  died  when  full  grown,  Decem- 
ber 11.  Numerous  larvae,  however,  were  still  living  in  the  fields  where 
this  species  was  under  observation,  all  of  the  living  ones  observed 
being  in  first-class  condition  December  13.  One  larva  was  found  less 
than  half  grown,  showing  that  eggs  had  been  deposited  about  the  last 
week  of  November. 

The  cabbage  looper  is  an  unusually  voracious  species,  developing 
rapidly,  and  a  single  individual  is  capable  of  doing  considerable  dam- 
age, as  when  at  work  on  pea.  On  cabbage,  while  the  larvae  are  feeding 
on  the  outer  leaves,  the  plant  can  more  readily  withstand  defoliation. 
One  looper  was  noticed  to  eat  more  than  its  own  bulk  each  day. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

The  moth  which  produces  this  looper  is  of  somewhat  obscure  appear- 
ance, although  its  markings  are  fairly  regular  and  constant.  The  upper 
wings  are  grayish  brown,  mottled  with  gray,  whitish,  and  blackish. 
Just  on  the  inner  side  of  the  inner  half  of  the  wings  there  is  a  varia- 
ble white  mark,  looking,  particularly  in  the  male,  something  like 
the  letter  Y.  The  hind-wings  are  paler  brown,  with  the  latter  half 
more  or  less  inf  uscated,  and  both  wings  are  strongly  scalloped,  as  shown 
in  the  illustration.  The  veins  of  the  hind-wings  are  rather  strongly 
defined.  The  lower  surface  is  pale  brown,  and  both  the  upper  and 
lower  surfaces  are  shining.  The  wing  expanse  varies  from  about  an 
inch  and  one-eighth  to  an  inch  and  three-eighths. 

The  egg. — The  Qgg  is  silver}7  white  in  color,  with  no  appearance  of 
iridescence,  and  as  it  rests  upon  a  green  leaf,  the  color  of  the  leaf 
showing  through  causes  it  to  appear  pale  green.  It  is  of  the  usual 
semiglobular  Noctuid  form,  the  surface  strongly  marked  with  radiat- 
ing vertical  ribs,  about  forty-eight  in  number  as  counted  from  the 
sides  from  which  they  project  rather  feebly  but  distinctly,  and  forty 
as  counted  from  above  where  some  vanish.  Cross  striae  are  not  dis- 
tinct, but  the  spaces  between  the  ribs  are  filled  with  rounded  concave 
areas.  The  lower  surface  of  attachment  is  nearly  smooth  and  not 
ribbed.     The  diameter  is  about  0.6mm  and  the  height  0.4mm. 


61 


The  larva  derives  its  name  of  looper  from  its  habit  of  "looping" 
in  walking,  due  to  the  absence  of  legs  on  the  sixth  and  seventh  seg- 
ments. It  is  from  the  first  a  pale-green,  fragile-looking  creature. 
It  varies  considerably  in  color  when  mature;  a  large  proportion  of 
specimens  that  have  come  under  observation  are  darker  green  than 
normal,  and  these  are  usually  rather  more  strongly  marked  with  the 
white  lines  shown  in  figure 
13  at  c.  Upon  attaining  full 
maturity  the  longitudinal 
white  lines  frequently  disap- 
pear. In  some  individuals 
also  there  are  rounded  spi- 
racular  spots  on  the  three 
thoracic  segment-. 

An     immature     larva     is 
shown  in  figure  14. 

Thr      COCOOH      (111(1     pilpll. 

When  the  larva  becomes  full 
grown  it  constructs  for 
pupation  a  remarkably  tine, 
white,  gauzy  cocoon,  which 
it  usually  attaches  to  the 
broad  surface  of  a  cabbage 
leaf  or  other  plant  on  which 
it  has  fed.  Strictly  speak- 
ing, this  is  seldom  a  perfect 
cocoon,  although  some  such 
can  be  found,  as  it  uses  the 
surface  of  the  leaf  for  protection  on  one  side  and  the  gauze  on  the 
other.  It  seems  probable  that  this  is  quite  efficient  against  many  of 
its  enemies;  and  it  is  in  the  larval  stage  that  the  insect  usuually  suc- 
cumbs to  the  numerous  natural  enemies  which  will  presently  be  men- 
tioned. The  chrysalis  varies  somewhat  in  color,  being  rather  pale  for 
a  Nbctuid,  the  wing-pads  moderate  brown,  and  the  abdominal  seg- 
ments yellowish.  The  total  length  is  a  little  less  than  three-fourths 
of  an  inch.     It  is  shown  in  its  cocoon  at  d  (fig.  13). 


Fig.  13. — Plusia  brassicx:  a,  male  moth;  b,  egg  .shown 
from  above  in  upper  figure  and  from  side  in  lower; 
C,  full-grown  larva  in  natural  position  feeding;  d,  pupa 
in  cocoon  just  before  development  of  moth— a,  c,  d, 
about  one-third  larger  than  natural  size;  b,  more  en- 
larged (a,  c,  d,  adapted  from  Howard;  b,  original). 


TECHNICAL    DESCRIPTIONS    OF    THE    STAGES    OF    THE    LARVA. 


Stage  I. — Head  higher  than  wide,  bilobed,  mouth  projecting,  elypeus  high,  nearly 
reaching  vertex.  Antennae  long;  free  from  joint  2,  somewhat  flattened;  luteous 
brown,  the  sutures  of  elypeus  dark  brown,  area  around  mouth  black,  epistoma  red- 
dish, antennae  pale;  width  0.25mm.  Body  slender,  moniliform,  smooth.  Whitish, 
translucent,  pale  green  from  the  blood.  Abdominal  feet  on  joints  9,  10,  and  13.  Cer- 
vical shield  trapezoidal,  black,  small  but  distinct.  Thoracic  feet  blackish,  abdom- 
inal ones  grayish  outwardly,   no  distinct   shields.     Joint  12  enlarged.     Tubercles 


62 

small  bat  round  and  distinct,  normal,  no  subprimaries.  ia  to  iib  on  thorax  sepa- 
rate, iv  of  abdomen  below  the  corner  of  the  spiracle,  halfway  to  v  on  joint  11. 

Stage  II. — Head  higher  than  wide,  month  broad  projecting,  squarish  shallowly 
bilobed,  flattened  before.  Green,  the  broad  sutures  of  the  high  clypeus  blackish; 
width  0.45""1'.  Large  ocelli  black,  in  a  close  semicircle,  jaws  reddish.  Body  slender, 
moniliform,  joint  12  enlarged  dorsally.  Feet  on  joints  9,  10,  and  13.  Translucent 
green,  a  narrow  white  subdorsal  (below  tubercle  ii)  and  stigmatal  lines.  Tubercle 
iii  on  joints  5  to  7  and  less  so  on  8,  enlarged,  black.  Others  also  black  but  minute. 
Setae  long,  black,  pointed;  subprimaries  present,  normal.  Feet  all  pale  and  concol- 
orous;  no  shields. 

Stage  III. — Head  high,  flattened  before,  held  obliquely,  vertex  against  joint  2,  cly- 
peus two-thirds  to  vertex,  the  paraclypeal  pieces  broader  than  before  and  concolorous 
with  the  head.  Antennae  moderate,  blackish  ringed.  Green,  ocelli  black,  whitish 
ringed,  setre  black;  width  0.7mm.  Body  humped  up  in  the  legless  part;  joint  12 
slightly  enlarged.  Green,  tubercles  whitish  with  narrow  black  hair  points,  iii  on 
joints  5  to  7  somewhat  larger  and  black,  largest  on  joint  6,  not  very  conspicuous. 
Fine,  irregular  white  lines,  viz,  geminate  dorsal,  small  and  subobsolete,  addorsal 
(above  ii),  subdorsal  (below  ii),  and  stigmatal  somewrhat  broader  than  the  others 
yet  narrow7.  Setae  blackish,  rather  long.  Tubercles  of  joint  12  somewhat  enlarged. 
Feet  absent  on  joints  7  and  8.  Thoracic  feet  brownish  at  tips.  Spiracles  pale,  con- 
colorous; tubercle  iv  below  the  stigmatal  white  line. 

Stage  IV. — Head  as  before,  green,  ocelli  black  centered;  width  1.2mm.  Body  slen- 
der, joint  12  a  little  enlarged;  feet  on  joints  9,  10,  and  13.  Cylindrical,  incisures  a 
little  narrowed.     Translucent  green,  the  <?sex  glands  in  joint  9  large,  pale  yellow, 


Fig.  14. — Plusia  brassiczc:  larva  about  half  grown — somewhat  enlarged. 

conspicuous.  White  addorsal  line  narrow,  a  broader  subdorsal  (above  ii,  over  i), 
narrower  lower  subdorsal  (below  ii  and  near  the  subdorsal),  narrow  white  stig- 
matal lines,  all  as  before.  Tubercles  distinct,  a  little  elevated,  small,  white,  iii  of 
joints  5  and  6  black.  Feet  concolorous,  claspers  and  spiracles  whitish;  no  shields. 
Betas  blackish,  rather  long.  Tubercle  iv  behind  the  spiracle  on  joint  5,  below  the 
lower  corner  on  6  to  8,  opposite  the  corner  on  9  and  10,  halfway  to  v  on  11,  at 
the  lower  corner  on  12.  Tubercles  i  and  ii  on  joint  12  in  a  square.  Lines  irregularly 
edged  and  broken  at  the  extremities. 

Stage  V. — Head  rounded  squarish,  slightly  bilobed,  flattened  before,  oblique,  free 
from  joint  2.  Translucent  shining  green,  antennas  and  palpi  yellowish,  ocelli  black; 
width  1.8  to  2""".  Body  normal,  moderate,  joint  12  enlarged  dorsally.  Green,  no 
shields  marked  with  white  lines.  Addorsal  narrow,  crinkly;  subdorsal  (between 
i  and  ii)  broader,  upper  lateral  (below  ii)  and  stigmatal  narrow.  Tubercles  white, 
iii  of  joints  5  to  7  black,  but  small  and  inconspicuous.  Spiracles  white,  narrowly 
black-rimmed.  Feet  green,  the  abdominal  ones  on  joints  9,  10,  and  13.  Tubercle 
iv  below  the  spiracle.  Seta?  blackish  but  obscure.  The  larva  occasionally  comes 
darker  colored.  The  ground  color  is  darker  green,  more  transparent,  especially 
along  the  dorsal  vessel  and  above  the  stigmatal  line,  making  the  lines  more  con- 
trasted and  whiter.  Tubercles  iii  are  black  the  whole  length,  largest  on  joints  6  to  8, 
but  plain  on  5  to  12.     Head  brownish  on  the  lobes. 

(Larva  had  only  5  stages.)  [H.  G.  Dyar.] 


63 

DISTRIBUTION. 

Although  the  cabbage  looper  remained  undescribed  until  L870,  and 
then4  is  no  doubt  that  it  is  a  native  species,  it  has  now  become  widely 
distributed  throughout  thai  part  of  the  United  States  lying  cast  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  together  with  Utah,  and  from  Maine  to  the  Gulf. 
It  is  probably  of  somewhat  remote  southern  origin,  and  is  much  more 
destructive  in  the  southern  portion  of  its  range  than  in  the  most  north- 
ern, if  we  except  a  few  localities  like  New  Jersey  and  Long  Island,  where 
it  is  periodically  troublesome.  We  have  no  reports  of  destructive 
occurrence  in  Maine,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  species  is  recorded  only 
from  fugitives  there;  and  the  same  applies  to  some  other  northern 
localities  which  appear  in  our  divisional  records.  The  moth  appears 
to  be  a  strong  flyer,  and  has  been  recorded  as  far  north  as  Winnipeg, 
Manitoba  (Hanham),  from  captures;  but  it  does  not  seem  probable 
that  injury  has  been  committed  there 

RECENT   INJURY. 

During  the  past  three  years  much  complaint  has  been  made  of  the 
ravages  of  cabbage  "b  worms/'  but,  as  a  rule,  the  letters  of  complaint 
have  not  been  accompanied  by  specimens,  and  we  have  thus  not  been 
able  to  identify  the  species.  It  seems  probable,  from  the  abundance 
of  the  cabbage  looper,  that  this  insect  was  often  the  cause  of  injury, 
although  attack  is  frequently  complicated  by  the  presence  of  PL  ria 
ropae,  the  common  imported  cabbage  worm,  and  other  species. 

During  the  year  1899  we  received  complaints  of  this  looper  from 
Athens  and  Montreal,  Ga.,  and  Rollover  and  China  Spring,  Tex.  Mr. 
James  I.  Todd,  of  Athens,  Ga.,  reported  that  in  his  locality  this  cater- 
pillar fed  mainly  on  the  older  and  lower  leaves  of  cabbage,  turnip,  and 
rutabaga,  but  did  nearly  as  much  damage  during  L899  as  Pionea  rimo- 
W/.s.  which  is  treated  in  another  paper  in  the  present  bulletin.  At 
Evansville,  Ind.,  where  Mr.  J.  B.  Walsh  reported  this  species  as 
injurious  during  the  same  year,  it  was  currently  reported  that  the  gar- 
deners of  that  vicinity  considered  the  species  new  as  a  cabbage  pest. 
During  the  next  two  years  we  received  complaints,  accompanied  by 
specimens,  from  Mr.  J.  L.  Phillips,  Blacksburg,  Va.,  who  stated  that 
this  looper  was  doing  considerable  damage  to  peas  near  Norfolk,  hav- 
ing almost  displaced  the  destructive  green  pea  louse  in  point  of  injmi- 
ousness.  Specimens  were  also  received  from  (  arte  it  on.  Ya..and  Cor- 
pus Christi.  Tex.,  in  both  cases  complaint  being  made  of  injury  to 
cabbage.  In  the  latter  locality  this  insect  was  called  the  common  cab- 
bage worm.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  District  of  Columbia  the  writer 
and  Mr.  Pratt  at  different  times  found  this  larva  attacking  pea,  aspara 
gus, common  pigweed  (Amarartihus  retrqfleams)  growing  between  rows, 
lam b's -quarters  (Chenqpodium  album),  mullein,  plantain,  and  tomato. 


64 


ECONOMIC    STATUS. 


It  is  oearly  as  difficult  to  define  the  exact  status  of  an  insect  as  regards 
destructiveness  as  it  is  to  obtain  reliable  estimates  of  its  injuries.  What 
is  true  of  one  is  about  equally  true  of  the  other.  We  can  obtain 
reliable  information  as  to  the  relative  injuriousness  of  an  insect  com- 
pared to  others  which  affect  a  given  crop  in  a  given  season  over  a 
small  area,  and  we  sometimes  receive  valuable  estimates  of  injuries 
that  have  been  inflicted  over  such  small  areas,  but  it  is  only  with 
slight  hesitation  that  the  writer  places  the  cabbage  looper  among  the 
first  three  cabbage  pests  of  this  counti*}7 ,  considering  what  has  been 
written  in  regard  to  it.  In  view  of  its  much  wider  distribution,  its 
manner  of  attacking  cabbage,  and  its  destructive  appearance  so  much 
earlier  in  the  season,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  imported  cabbage 
worm  (Pier is  rapse)  is  our  worst  enemy  to  cruciferous  crops;  and  next 
in  order  comes  the  harlequin  cabbage  bug  (Murgantia  histriwiica), 
after  which  comes  the  cabbage  looper  as  the  third  in  rank. 

Writing  of  this  insect  in  1870,  Riley  stated  that,  next  after  the 
cabbage  worm  mentioned,  this  was  the  most  common  insect  which 
attacked  cabbage  in  Missouri — a  remarkable  fact,  considering  that  the 
species  had  not  hitherto  been  described  (2d  Mo.  Rept.,  p.  110).  The 
same  author,  writing  again  in  1883  (Rept.  Commr.  Agric.  for  1883,  p. 
119),  said  that  the  larva  of  this  species  was  the  most  destructive  enemy 
to  cabbage  and  other  cruciferous  plants  known  to  the  Southern  gar- 
dener, and  shared  that  distinction  with  the  imported  cabbage  butter- 
fly as  far  north  as  Illinois  and  New  Jersey.  Since  the  time  of  the 
publication  of  that  statement,  however,  the  harlequin  cabbage  bug  has 
become  much  more  widely  distributed  and  injurious,  and  has  alone 
destroyed  many  fields  of  cabbage,  as  the  wrriter  can  testify  from  per- 
sonal observation. a 

As  previously  intimated,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  cabbage  looper 
comes  late  in  the  season,  its  injuries  are  not  so  noticeable,  as  ordina- 
rily it  confines  itself  to  the  outer  leaves  of  cabbage.  It  has  a  much 
wider  range  of  natural  food  plants  than  the  other  two  species  men- 
tioned, and  there  is  no  doubt  that  some  injuries  done  by  it  are  attrib- 
uted to  the  common  cabbage  worm,  as  the  latter  is  better  known. 

Professor  Sanderson  has  recorded  an  instance  of  unusual  abundance 
in  Maryland  during  1898  (Practical  Farmer,  December  31, 1898).  He 
states  that  most  of  the  large  cabbage  growers  of  Maryland  had  lost 
between  75  and  90  per  cent  of  their  crops,  and  rarely  could  first-class 
heads  be  found  in  a  kitchen  garden.  When  from  twenty-five  to  forty 
loopers  were  greedily  devouring  a  single  plant,  as  he  frequently  found 

At  the  present  writing,  however,  this  species  is  held  in  check  in  many  localities 
in  its  northern  range  by  weather  that  has  been  inimical  to  its  multiplication,  and  it 
may  be  a  matter  of  some  years  before  it  regains  the  lost  footing. 


65 

them,  this  is  not  surprising.  The  writer  noticed  much  the  same 
condition  of  affairs  in  portions  of  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  which  he  visited  that  same  year,  entire  fields  being 
practically  failures,  the  growers  not  taking  the  pains  to  gather  any  of 
the  plants  on  account  of  the  ravages  of  this  pest.  In  most  cases,  how- 
ever, the  writer  had  noticed  other  insects  at  work  earlier  in  the  year, 
and  the  loopers  took  what  was  left.  The  following  year,  as  the  writer 
has  already  recorded;  the  species  was  very  rare,  on  account  of  the 
extreme  cold  and  the  sudden  changes  of  the  winter  of  1898-99. 

LITE  RAT  THE    OF    THE    SPECIES. 

Comparatively  little  has  been  published  in  regard  to  the  cabbage 
looper  when  we  take  into  consideration  its  excessive  injuriousness.  In 
addition  to  the  accounts  that  have  been  quoted,  Lintner  published  an 
article  on  this  species  in  his  Second  Report  on  the  Insects  of  New 
York  (1885,  pp.  89-93),  in  which,  however,  little  is  added  to  our 
knowledge  of  it,  but  the  report  in  question  gives  ;i  very  full  bibli- 
ography to  date;  and  in  Bulletin  No.  23  of  the  Geneva  Station,  pub- 
lished in  L894,  an  account,  by  F.  A.  Sirrine.  is  given,  on  pages  067-671, 
with  photographic  illustrations.  In  1893  Mr.  G.  C.  Davis  (Bui.  102, 
Mich.  Agr.  Expt.  Sta.,  p.  27)  made  the  statement  that  this  insect  was 
taken  on  celery  in  Michigan,  the  moth  appearing  duly  14. 

In  the  American  Florist  for  March  3,  1900  (Vol.  XV.  pp.  912.  913), 
Mr.  Sirrine  gave  a  short  account  of  this  looper  in  connection  with 
injury  to  carnations,  stating  that  it  and  the  variegated  cutworm  were 
the  worst  of  the  transient  enemies  of  this  plant.  Like  the  cutworm, 
he  writes,  it  feeds  usually  at  night  on  the  buds.  It  can  be  carried  in 
the  house  on  plants,  but  more  commonly  the  female  moth  finds  her 
way  indoors  through  open  ventilators. 

FOOD    PLANTS. 

This  species  feeds  normally  on  Cruciferae,  favoring  cultivated  forms, 
and,  when  such  are  to  be  had  in  abundance,  it  is  not  often  that  the 
loopers  feed  to  any  extent  on  other  plants  in  the  same  neighborhood. 
It  appears  to  greatly  prefer  cabbage  and  cauliflower,  but  during  its 
seasons  of  abundance  attacks  also  turnip,  rutabaga,  radish,  both  culti- 
vated and  wild,  kale,  mustard,  and  the  like.  Peas  are  frequently  the 
object  of  attack,  while  cowpeas  and  beets  are  also  eaten.  Sometimes 
the  insect  is  quite  destructive  to  celery  and  lettuce,  and  will  feed  also 
upon  tomato  and,  less  frequently,  on  asparagus  beds,  clover,  and 
possibly  tobacco. 

It  is  sometimes  a  pest  in   greenhouses,  when  it  does  damage  to 
carnations,   mignonette,  and  German  ivy  (Senedo  scandens).     Other 
food  plants  include  dock,  dandelion,   lamb's-quarters,  Japan  quince 
(Cydoniajapomea))  plantain,  mullein,  and  pigweed. 
23987— No.  33—02 5 


66 


LIFE    HISTORY. 


The  pupal  period  varies  greatly,  according  to  the  season.  Thus,  in 
hot  weather  in  July  a  number  of  loopers  were  observed  by  the  writer 
to  transform  to  pupse  July  5  and  to  issue  as  moths  on  the  11th,  or  in 
six  days,  the  temperature  indoors  averaging  about  85°.  Another  lot 
of  pupa'  taken  from  celery  in  the  field  October  7  did  not  develop  moths 
until  the  29th,  or  in  twenty-two  days.  The  weather  was  cool,  but  the 
temperature  was  not  noted,  so  it  is  plain  that  we  have  a  pupal  period, 
varying  according  to  temperature,  of  from  one  to  three  weeks.  No 
definite  records  can  be  found  of  the  duration  of  the  egg  or  larval  periods, 
but  assuming  three  generations  for  the  Upper  Austral  zone,  where 
this  species  seems  to  attract  more  attention  than  in  the  South,  we 
can  safely  assume  from  analogy  with  the  observed  pupal  periods 
and  other  knowledge  of  related  species  that  the  egg  period  will  vary 
from  four  to  ten  or  more  days,  according  to  temperature;  that  the 
larva  may  undergo  all  its  changes  (five  stages  in  number)  in  from 
two  to  four  weeks,  the  minimum  of  two  weeks  being  estimated  from 
the  fact  that  the  larvae  grow  so  rapidly,  and  the  maximum,  four  weeks, 
from  our  knowledge  that  the  insect  breeds  later  in  the  season  than 
nearly  any  other  injurious  species  of  its  kind. 

In  reviewing  the  life  history  of  this  species,  Dr.  Lintner  (1.  c.) 
stated  that  there  were  onhT  two  generations  produced  during  the  year, 
and  this  is  perhaps  true  of  its  extreme  northern  limit.  Mr.  Sirrine, 
however,  states  that  it  is  apparently  three-brooded  on  Long  Island, 
and  that  hibernation  probably  occurs  both  as  adult  and  pupa. 

If  the  last  generalization  is  correct  it  would  seem  probable  that  four 
generations  may  possibly  be  produced  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  but 
the  writer  is  inclined  to  believe  that  there  are  only  three,  and  that 
hibernation  takes  place  chiefiV  in  the  pupal  stage.  A  fourth  genera- 
tion is  evidently  attempted,  but  fails  to  survive  the  winter. 

The  time  when  the  moth  makes  its  first  appearance  in  the  District 
of  Columbia  or  elsewhere  appears  not  to  be  recorded.  Few  individuals 
survive  the  winter  northward,  but  the  propagation  of  the  species  is  so 
rapid  that  by  the  time  autumn  is  reached  great  numbers  of  larvae  are 
produced  which  do  much  damage  to  crops  in  cultivation  at  this  time. 

NATURAL    ENEMIES. 
PARASITES. 

This  cabbage  looper  is  unusually  susceptible  to  bacterial  and  fun- 
gus diseases;  it  is  also  preyed  upon  by  birds  and  other  insectivorous 
animals  and  by  parasitic  and  predaceous  insects.  Its  most  efficient 
insect  destroyer  in  the  field  in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  the  District 
of  Columbia  is  a  minute  chalcis  fly  (Copidonoma  truncatellum  Dalm.), 
an     imported  European    parasite,  which  has  evidently    selected  this 


67 

looper  as  its  favorite  host  in  this  country.  In  Europe  this  chalcis 
fiy  is  also  particularly  attached  to  the  genus  Plusia,  although  known 
to  parasitize  larva?  of  several  other  genera  of  Noetuidae  as  well  as 
other  families.  The  habits  of  this  parasite  were  described  by  Dr. 
Howard  in  the  American  Naturalist  for  February,  1882  (pp.  150, 
151).  An  interesting  instance  of  its  value  as  a  destroyer  of  the  looper 
is  cited  in  the  annual  report  of  this  Department  for  1882  ( L883,  p.  121). 
In  the  fall  of  1880  nearly  fifty  larva*  were  collected,  with  the  intention 
of  rearing  the  moths,  but  all.  with  a  single  exception,  were  eventually 
destroyed  by  this  parasite  only  2  per  cent  of  the  larvae  having  reached 
the  imago  state  As  parasitized  loopers  approach  full  gro\vth  the}T 
lose  their  characteristic  pale  longitudinal  stripes  and  become  uniform 
pale  green  or  yellow  in  color.  As  a  rule,  in  the  writer's  experience,  the 
larvae  spin  up  before  succumbing,  and  in  a  few  days  parasitism  by  this 
chalcis  fly  is  clearly  evident,  since  tin4  pupae  do  not  develop  and  the  larvae 
assume  a  peculiar  twisted  form.  Almost  without  exception  the  bodies 
of  the  parasitized  larvae  arc  completely  filled  with  these  almost  micro- 
scopic parasites.  By  actual  count  2,528  chalcis  flies  issued  from  a 
single  parasitized  larva.  In  recent  experience  the  parasitic  flies  have 
been  reared  only  from  their  host  during  the  last  week  of  September 
and  in  October. 

Ajxnifrhs  eongregatvA  Say.  a  well  known  parasite  of  the  imported 
cabbage  worm  {Pieris  r<t/>;t)  and  other  noxious  species  has  been  reared 
from  this  looper. 

It  has  been  noticed  on  several  occasions  that  when  the  larva  of  the 
looper  forms  its  characteristic  gauzy  white  cocoon  on  otherplants  than 
those  on  which  larvae  have  fed,  the  individual  is  usually  diseased  or  par- 
asitized. Thus,  on  one  occasion  the  writer  took  five  chrysalides  from 
eggplant,  although  no  evidence  whatever  could  be  found  that  the  larvae 
had  fed  on  this  plant.  Larvae  were  found  on  eggplant,  but  not  feed- 
ing, and  all  of  these,  although  kept  in  the  best  of  condition,  died  of 
disease  or  were  parasitized  by  the  Copidosoma  truncdtelia.  It  may  be 
interesting  to  note  of  this  parasite  that  the  adults  issued  in  late  Sep- 
tember, sixteen  days  after  their  detection  in  the  body  of  the  host.  At 
Brookland.  D.  C,  on  one  occasion  all  of  the  pupae  that  could  be  col- 
lected were  parasitized,  an  evident  case  of  complete  parasitism. 

PREDACEOUS    ENEMIES. 

A  medium-sized  white-spotted  black  spider.  Phidippus  audax  Hentz., 
was  observed  by  the  writer  July  13,  destroying  the  moth  of  this  insect. 
This  spider  appears  to  be  specially  adapted  to  prey  upon  Plusia,  since 
the  web  spun  by  it  looks  almost  precisely  like  that  of  the  looper. 
Other  species  of  spiders  crawl  into  the  empty  cocoons  of  the  moth,  and 
it  seems  probable  that  they  feed  on  the  larvae  also  when  these  are  just 
about  to  transform. 


68 

Several  species  of  Carabidae  and  other  predaeeous  Coleoptera  have 
been  recorded  to  occur  in  badly  infested  cabbage  fields,  with  the  pre- 
sumption that  they  had  been  feeding  on  the  looper.  (Kept.  Dept. 
Agr.  1883,  p.  120). a 

Mr.  J.  B.  Dunn,  Corpus  Christi,  Tex.,  wrote  that  he  knew  of  only 
one  insect  that  fed  on  this  worm,  a  large  black  beetle  locally  known  as 
"  pinch  bug."  This  insect  was  not  sufficiently  abundant,  however,  to 
keep  the  looper  in  subjection.  Specimens  kindly  sent  to  this  office 
proved  to  be  the  larva  of  a  species  of  Calosoma,  probably  calidum, 
and  the  beetle  Pasimachus  caUfornicus.  He  also  wrote  October  14 
that  a  bird  locally  known  as  jackdaw,  and  which  Dr.  C.  H.  Merriam 
identities  as  either  the  great-tailed  or  boat-tailed  grackle  (QuiscuLm 
mawuriis  or  Q.  major),  was  particularly  fond  of  these  cabbage  loopers. 
These  birds  would  alight  in  the  lields  and  feed  on  the  larvae  daily  until 
they  would  ci  clean  them  up  and  save  the  crop."  During  recent  years, 
however,  hunters  and  others  had  slaughtered  these  birds  to  such  an 
extent  that  the}'  now  shunned  civilization.  Our  correspondent  thought 
this  bird  deserved  protection. 


Bad  trial  disease. — During  July  some  recently  collected  larva?  were 
found  to  be  suffering  from  a  disease.  A  larva  thus  affected  first  grows 
pale  and  yellow,  and  in  a  very  few  hours  becomes  weak  and  flaccid,  upon 
death  assuming  an  ashy  gray  color,  which  later  may  turn  to  brown  or 
blackish.  Diseased  larva1  usually  become  fastened  b}T  the  prolegs  to 
the  plant  upon  which  they  have  fed,  and  hang  head  downward,  in 
time  often  becoming  a  putrid  mass  much  like  that  observed  of  the 
common  cabbage  worm  when  diseased.  In  the  jar  in  which  these 
larvae  were  fed  a  cabbage  leaf  had  been  placed  which  Avas  not  quite 
fresh,  and,  evidently  as  a  result  of  feeding  upon  that,  the  remaining 
larvae  contracted  the  distemper,  and  all  were  dead  two  days  after  the 
first  appearance  of  infection. 

Diseased  larvae  were  referred  to  Mr.  B.  T.  Galloway,  Chief  of  the 
Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  who  wrote  that,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge, 
the  organism  concerned  in  the  infection  had  never  been  described  or 
named,  but  was  apparentljr  a  species  of  bacillus. 

What  is  perhaps  the  first  mention  of  a  disease  of  this  insect,  and 
probably  the  same  as  under  present  observation,  was  by  Prof.  Herbert 
Osborn  (Bui.  No.  30,  n.  s.,  1892).  He  states  briefly  that  larvae  were 
attacked  by  a  disease  that  swept  off  many  of  them.  In  Mr.  F.  A. 
Sirrine's  account,  previously  cited  (1.  c,  p.  670),  mention  is  also  made 
of  the  disease  and  its  occurrence  in  189-1  on  Long  Island.     Mr.  Sirrine 

aThe  following  is  the  list:  Cratacardhus  dubhis,  Harpalus  caliginosus,  H.  faunus, 
II.  pennsylvanicus,  and  the  larv&e  of  Collops  quadrimaculalus,  Hippodamia  convergens, 
and  //.  parenthesis. 


69 

states,  however,  that  it  was  not  noticed  until  the  cold,  wet  weather  of 
October  and  November  set  in.  It  should  be  added  that  the  writer 
observed  the  same  disease  upon  Plusia  in  the  held  during-  the  last 
week  of  July,  and  that  pupa1  also  suffered  from  it.  This  disease  is 
readily  communicable  from  one  larva  to  others,  and  it  frequently 
happens  that  if  a  diseased  one  is  placed  in  an  ordinary  tin  collecting 
box  over  night  all  of  the  others  that  may  be  confined  with  it  develop 
the  disease  in  a  day  or  two. 

Fungus  disease. — One  of  the  fungus  diseases  from  which  Plusia 
larvae  die  is  Botrytis  rileyi  Farlow.  The  affected  worms,  according  to 
Riley,  become  sluggish  and  then  die,  after  death  appearing  stiff  and 
brittle  and  firmly  attached  to  the  leaves  or  stems  upon  which  the}T 
have  died.     They  are  profusely  covered  with  a  greenish  mold. 

REMEDIES. 

The  same  remedies  as  advised  for  the  cross-striped  cabbage  worm 
should  be  used  against  the  present  species.  It  should  be  observed, 
however,  for  the  benefit  of  our  correspondents,  that  they  must  be 
used  with  great  persistency  at  frequent  intervals  in  order  to  insure 
perfect  success,  and  should  be  applied  to  the  lower  surface  of  the  outer 
leaves.  The  killing  off  of  the  first  generations  of  the  insect  should  be 
particularly  observed,  but  this  will  be  of  little  or  no  avail  if  other 
cabbage  growers  within  several  miles  of  the  same  localit\T  do  not  take 
the  sanie  precautions.  One  of  our  correspondents,  Mr.  Dunn,  pre- 
viously referred  to,  tried  Paris  green  and  lime,  and  succeeded  in  kill- 
ing all  of  the  common  cabbage  loopers. 

Notwithstanding  this,  however,  the  writer  noticed  during  September, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  an  entire  held  of  cabbage 
which  had  been  liberally  dusted  with  Paris  green  and  plaster  mixed 
at  the  usual  rate  of  1  pound  of  poison  to  20  pounds  of  plaster,  with  no 
perceptible  effect  upon  these  insects.  The  first  application  had  been 
made  about  two  weeks  previous,  another  had  been  made  within  five 
days,  and  vet  the  larvae  were  feeding  quite  contentedly  on  the  lower 
surf  act's  of  the  leaves  in  their  usual  manner  and  no  dead  were  to  be 
found  under  the  plants  or  elsewhere.  This  simply  indicates  that  the 
poison,  as  previously  stated,  should  be  applied  to  the  lower  surface, 
and  preferably  in  the  form  of  a  spray.  Mr.  Pratt,  who  observed  this 
species  at  Chesterbrook.  Va.,  noted  the  same  results.  After  a  rainfall 
eggs  hatch,  and  the  larvae  are  able  to  do  injury  without  being  affected 
bv  the  poison. 

A  NEW  CABBAGE  L00PER, 

(Plusia  ]»'('(■( (tionis  Gn.) 

The  larvae  of  this  species  in  different  stages  of  growth  were  observed 
during  1899  and  1900  attacking  cabbage  and  some  other  plants  in  two 
gardens  in  the  District  of  Columbia.     The  same  insect  was  observed 


70 

the  previous  year  in  less  numbers  in  the  same  gardens.     Cabbage  does 
not  appear  to  be  recorded  as  a  food  plant  of  this  insect,  and  in  fact  its 

habits  are  little  known. 

RECENT    ATTACK. 

June  1-3.  1899,  this  species  first  came  under  the  writer's  notice, 
when  a  few  larvae  nearly  grown  and  several  less  mature  were  observed 
on  cabbage.  June  5  an  immature  individual  was  brought  to  the 
writer  by  Mr.  T.  A.  Keleher,  of  this  office,  who  found  it  feeding  on 
cultivated  morning  glory,  and  June  19  a  larva  was  taken  by  the  writer 
feeding  on  common  pigweed  (Ambrosia  artemisisefolta).  The  indi- 
viduals found  were  so  few  in  number  that  it  was  impossible  to  trace 
the  species  through  its  life  history.  The  following  June,  however, 
larvae  were  present  in  greater  abundance,  all  on  cabbage. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

The  moth  of  this  species  is  a  little  larger  and  more  graceful  than 
that  of  the  cabbage  looper.  The  general  color  of  the  fore-wings  is  a 
beautiful  bright  shining  brown,  variegated  with  bronze,  purple,  and 
pale-fawn  color.  The  fore-wings  are  not  so  strongly  scalloped  as  in 
the  species  mentioned,  but  the  hind-wings  are  similarly  colored,  and 


Fig.  15. — Plusia  precatiovi*.  a,  female  moth;  b,  larva  extended,  feeding;  c.  pupa  in  cocoon — all  some- 
what enlarged  (original). 

the  veins  are  equally  noticeable.  In  the  common  looper  the  wThite  spots 
on  the  fore-wings  are  chalky-white,  while  in  this  species,  although 
they  are  of  very  similar  form,  they  are  decidedly  silvery,  and  the  two 
portions  are  usually  well  separated  (see  fig.  15,  a.)  The  thorax  is 
also  brown,  and  the  abdomen  fawn-colored,  while  the  lower  surface  is 
similarly  but  a  little  more  strongly  marked  than  that  of  the  common 
looper.  The  wing  expanse  of  specimens  at  hand  shows  a  variation 
from  an  inch  and  an  eighth  to  nearly  an  inch  and  a  half. 

The  penultimate  stage. — In  next  to  the  last  stage  this  larva  lacks 
the  characteristic  markings  of  the  mature  form.  It  is  very  much 
more  slender,  and  looks,  in  fact,  more  like  a  Geometrid  than  a  Plusia. 


71 

It  is  of  nearly  the  same  green  color,  but  the  sides  of  the  head  and  the 
legs  are  not  marked  with  black.  There  are  two  white  undulating 
stripes  on  each  side  of  the  middle  of  the  dorsum  and  a  broad  yellowish 
white  stripe  above  the  stigmata.  In  most  individuals  one  or  more  of 
the  abdominal  segments  bear  on  each  side  a  black  suprastigmatal 
tubercle. 

The  last  stage. — In  the  last  stage  the  larva  may  be  readily  distin- 
guished from  the  common  cabbage  Plusia  by  the  long  eye-like  ellip- 
tical spots  on  each  side  of  the  head.  The  hind  pair  of  thoracic  legs 
are  nearly  black,  the  middle  pair  a  little  lighter,  and  the  front  pair 
still  paler.  The  dorsum  is  mottled  with  white,  the  lines  being  irreg- 
ular, and  the  dorsal  tubercles,  of  a  green  color,  being  quite  prominent. 
The  lateral  stripe  of  the  abdomen  is  broad,  white,  and  well  defined. 
In  some  individuals  on  the  first  two  or  three  abdominal  segments  the 
suprastigmatal  tubercles  are  black,  but  imagos  hatched  from  larva? 
thus  colored  look  no  different  from  those  hatched  from  unmarked 
larva?.  There  is  also  considerable  difference  in  the  arrangement  of 
the  white  marks  on  the  back,  the  same  being  true  of  the  common 
cabbage1  Plusia.  In  some  individuals  these  white  marks  show  as  four 
strong  undulating  stripes,  while  in  others  half  a  dozen  or  more  very 
irregular  striped  markings  are  seen.  In  one  individual  the  black 
lateral  spot  on  the  head  was  much  less  strongly  defined  than  in  the 
others.  When  fully  matured  the  larva  measures  in  its  natural  slightly 
curved  position  about  one  inch  in  length.  In  figure  15,  &,  a  larva  is 
shown  extended  in  a  position  which  it  often  assumes. 

The  pupa  (c)  does  not  appear  to  have  been  described.  It  is  not  likely 
that  it  differs  in  any  important  particular  from  that  of  P.  hrassicde. 

The  eggs  have  not  been  compared  with  those  of  P.  brassieae,  but  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  they  are  nearly  identical,  and.  in  fact,  the 
species  differs  very  little  in  structure  and  life  histoiy  from  that  of  the 
common  cabbage  looper. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

Smith  states  that  this  species  occurs  in  the  United  States  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  from  May  to  October,  also  in  Canada.  Exact  records 
of  localities  are  rather  meager.  They  include  Canada:  Cambridge, 
Mass.:  Sharon,  Pa.:  Dayton,  Ohio  (Pilate):  Woodstock.  111.:  Wiscon- 
sin: and  the  District  of  Columbia.  Hanham  states  that  this  species  is 
rare  at  Winnipeg,  Manitoba.  It  does  not  seem  probable  that  the 
insect  breeds  there,  but  is  merely  a  stray  from  a  more  southern  and 
congenial  locality. 

HISTORY   OF   THE    SPECIES. 

The  biological  literature  of  this  looper  is  quite  limited,  which  is  to 

be  explained  by  its  seldom  having  been  found  attacking  useful  plants. 

In  the  year  1869  Dr.  A.  S.  Packard  made  mention  of  this  species  in 


72 

his  first  edition  of  the  Guide  to  the  Stud}^  of  Insects.  He  states  on 
the  authority  of  Mr.  Saunders  that  the  larva,  of  which  he  gives  a  brief 
description,  feeds  on  the  hollyhock  in  August.  He  also  makes  men- 
tion of  Plusia  larva?  figured  lnT  Glover  in  his  work  on  insects  injurious 
to  the  cotton  plant,  but  as  this  work  was  never  published,  in  the  true 
sense  of  the  word,  it  need  not  be  further  mentioned  here. 

In  the  late  Dr.  Riley's  second  Missouri  Report  (p.  112),  published 
in  1870,  this  species  is  briefly  treated  in  connection  with  a  discussion 
of  Phis  J  a  brassicae.  He  states  that  it  occurs  commonly  on  thistles 
and  proposes  the  name  of  thistle  Plusia.  The  larva  is  said  to  differ 
from  the  cabbage  Plusia  only  in  having  the  sides  of  the  head,  the 
thoracic  legs,  a  row  of  spots  above  the  lateral  light  line,  and  a  ring 
around  the  breathing  pores,  black. 

In  the  Canadian  Entomologist  (Vol.  XIII,  pp.  21-23)  for  February, 
1881,  Mr.  D.  W.  Coquillett,  now  of  this  office,  published  an  article 
entitled,  ikOn  the  early  stages  of  Plusia  precatio-nis  Guenee.'1  Sub- 
sequently, in  the  same  publication  (Vol.  XIV,  p.  60),  Mr.  Coquillett 
calls  attention  to  the  wrong  identification  of  the  species,  the  insect 
which  he  had  under  observation  being  P.  simplex  and  not  precationis. 

The  species  is  again  referred  to  in  connection  with  a  consideration  of 
Plusia  simpler  by  Mr.  Coquillett  in  the  Eleventh  Report  of  the  State 
Entomologist  of  Illinois  in  1882  (pp.  38-42).  From  studies  made  at  that 
time  of  the  larvae  of  these  three  species  of  Plusia,  deductions  were 
made  that  Plusia  simplex  differs  from  brassicae  only  by  the  black 
rings  around  its  breathing  pores,  and  that  both  of  these  larvae  differ 
f rom  precationis  by  lacking  the  black  stripes  on  each  side  of  the  head. 
UnfortunatehT,  as  the  writer  has  previously  observed,  some  examples 
of  ftrassicae  also  have  these  black  rings  about  the  breathing  pores. 

No  extended  observations  have  been  made  on  the  life  history  of  this 
species,  but  it  is  probable  that  it  will  be  found  to  agree  perfectly  with 
P.  brassicas  when  it  occurs  in  the  same  localities.  Such  individuals  as 
were  under  observation  by  the  writer  transformed  to  pupae  in  seven, 
eight,  and  eleven  days,  pupation  beginning  in  three  instances  in  early 
June,  and  in  two  in  late  June,  the  eleven-day  period  being  passed  in 
unseasonably  cool  weather. 

It  should  be  added  that  there  is  in  the  National  Museum  a  moth 
reared  October  4,  1882,  on  Gerardia  judical  aria  (presumably  in  the 
District  of  Columbia),  and  of  a  Proctotrypid,  bred  from  the  cocoon  of 
this  species  March  29  of  the  same  year. 

The  name  of  eyed-cabbage  looper  is  proposed  for  this  insect. 

REMEDIES. 

This  species  would  yield  to  the  same  remedies  as  advised  for  the 
common  cabbage  looper,  namely,  Paris  green,  best  applied  in  the  form 
of  a  spray,  but  it  is  usually  not  abundant,  and  hand-picking  would 
suffice  on  small  patches  of  cabbage  or  other  plants  affected. 


73 

THE  CELERY  LOOPER. 

(Plus!'/  simplex  Guen. ) 

In  some  portions  of  our  country,  as,  for  example,  in  Illino  s,  this 
species  to  a  certain  extent  takes  the  place  of  the  cabbage  looper 
(/V//.wV/  brcmicae  Riley).  It  is  stated  to  be  the  commonest  species  of 
its  genus  in  Illinois,  and  is  rather  generally  distributed  in  the  United 
States  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  Canada  to  New  Mexico.  In 
most  places,  however,  where  it  has  come  under  observation  it  Is  con- 
siderably rarer.  It  is  described  by  Messrs.  Forbes  &  Hart  as  a  very 
destructive  celery  insect,  and  has  been  bred  by  them  from  sugar  beet, 
and  by  Mr.  Coquillett  from  lettuce  as  well  as  celery.  To  the  latter 
we  are  indebted  for  our  principal  account  of  the  species. 


Fig.  16, 


Ftusia  simplex:  male  moth  at  left,  larva  at  right— some- 
what enlarged  (original). 


DESCRIPTIVE. 

Tin  nmth  (fig.  L6)  is  decidedly  dissimilar  to  that  of  the  cabbage 
looper,  having  a  greater  wing  expanse,  nearly  two  inches,  entirely 
different  coloration,  and  differently  shaped  upper  wings.  These  differ- 
ences are  brought  out  quite  distinctly  in  the  accompanying  illustra- 
tion. The  lower  edges  of  the  fore-wings  have  a  well-detined  conical 
projection.     The  border 

is  not  scalloped,  the  color    I  tes**^     .  ^    ^@S£i  ^</      ^/ 

is  somewhat  purplish 
brown,  the  darker  shades 
being  velvety  brown. 
The  silver  marks  are 
very  distinct,  and  form 
the  pattern  illustrated. 
The  hind  -  wings  are 
ochreous    or    yellowish 

brown,  strongly  banded  with  dark  fuscous,  particularly  toward  the 
white  border.  The  ground  color  of  the  thorax,  fore-wings,  and 
abdomen  is  duller  than  that  of  the  hind-wings.  The  lower  surface  is 
pale  ochreous,  with  a  rather  distinct  darker  band  running  through 
both  wings  near  the  middle. 

Tin  egg  is  described  by  Coquillett  as  milky  white,  flattened,  globular, 
or  turnip-shaped,  sometimes  with  an  impressed  spot  in  the  center  of 
the  upper  surface.  The  upper  half  of  the  egg  is  grooved  vertically; 
the  grooves  are  narrow  and  the  spaces  between  them  roughened.  The 
transverse  diameter  is  about  fa  inch. 

The  larva  (tig.  16)  is  similar  to  the  cabbage  looper.  and  in  the  examples 
seen  rather  more  robust  posteriorly.  The  color  is  very  pale  yellowish 
green,  and  the  markings  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  cabbage 
looper.  but  all  of  the  larvae  examined  have  the  supra-spiracular  spots 
black,  which  only  occasionally  happens  with  the  cabbage  species. 
The  length  is  about  the  same,  1J  inches  when  fullv  extended. 


74 

TJit  pupa  has  never  been  described  by  comparison  Avith  related 
species.     It  is  in  most  respects  like  that  of  the  cabbage  looper. 

A  more  detailed  description  of  the  moth  has  been  given  by  Thomas 
in  his  fourth  report  as  entomologist  of  the  State  of  Illinois  (9th 
Report,  St.  Ent..  111.,  pp.  47,  48),  which  is  quoted  in  Mr.  Coquillett's 
account,  which  was  published  in  the  Eleventh  Report  of  the  State 
Entomologist  of  Illinois,  1882  (pp.  38-43). 

DISTRIBUTION. 

The  celery  looper  appears  to  be  a  Transition  species,  but  it  is  fre- 
quently taken  also  in  the  Upper  Austral  region,  where  it  breeds  in 
certain  localities,  particularly  westward.  Possibly  its  being  more  abun- 
dant in  cold  climates  will  account  for  the  scarcity  of  reports  of  injury. 
Smith  reports  its  occurrence  in  Hudson  Bay  territory,  Canada;  in  the 
United  States  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains — Colorado  at  12,000  feet, 
and  New  Mexico;  also  that  it  appears  throughout  the  season.  Our 
National  Museum  collection,  with  some  other  sources  of  information, 
shows  the  following  list  of  localities  in  addition  to  those  that  have 
been  mentioned  above: 

Maine;  .Massachusetts;  Rochester,  Rhinebeck,  and  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.;  Wash- 
ington, D.C.;  Westpoint,  Nebr. ;  Caney,  Kansas;  Merino  Valley,  New  Mexico;  Longs 
Peak,  Colo. ;  Wisconsin;  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  Portland  and  Albina,  Oreg.  Several  of  these 
localities  are  furnished  on  authority  of  Dr.  H.  G.  Dyar.  In  New  York,  in  the  region 
specified,  he  captured  specimens  on  different  occasions  during  the  last  week  of  July; 
in  Oregon,  during  the  second  week  of  May. 

DIVISIONAL    RECORD. 

There  is  a  single  divisional  record  in  regard  to  the  biology  of  this 
species.  April  10, 1893,  we  received  from  Mrs.  J.  S.  Maurice,  Cane}7, 
Ivans.,  a  moth  stated  to  have  been  observed  on  blossoms  of  apple. 
This  had  deposited  eggs  en  route,  and  some  larva?  began  feeding  as 
soon  as  received.  By  May  2  they  had  nearly  completed  their  growth, 
and  the  following  day  the  first  larva  spun  up.  As  it  takes  from  one  to 
three  days  for  larva1  to  transform,  and  the  first  moths  did  not  issue 
till  May  *2(K  the  pupal  stage  in  this  instance  may  be  placed  at  fifteen  or 
sixteen  days.  The  larval  stage  during  the  same  period  was  approxi- 
mately three  weeks.  Larva?  fed  on  weeds  with  which  they  were  sup- 
plied, but  as  there  is  no  evidence  that  these  were  natural  foods  their 
names  need  not  be  mentioned. 

We  have  no  information  as  to  any  natural  enemy  of  this  species. 

REMEDIES. 

The  same  remedies  advised  for  the  cabbage  looper  would,  of  course, 
be  applicable  to  this  species  when  it  occurs  in  injurious  numbers.  It 
is  necessary,  however,  that  whatever  remedy  is  employed  be  used 
also  on  wild  food  plants,  including  weeds,  which  this  insect  affects. 


75 


NOTES  ON  DIPTEROUS  LEAF-MINERS  ON  CABBAGE. 

The  leaves  of  cabbage,  radish,  and  other  cruciferous  plants  are 
liable  to  injury  from  the  attack  of  maggots  of  the  families  Drosophil- 
ida*  and  Oscinidse.  Three  species  have  been  identified  with  such 
attacks  in  this  country,  and  a  fourth  can  now  be  added.  It  seems 
probable  if  the  leaves  of  cruciferous  crops  in  various  portions  of  the 
country  were  carefully  examined,  we  might  hnd  that  several  more 
species  have  this  habit.  They  are  not  of  themselves  particularly 
destructive,  but  they  contribute  their  share  toward  the  injury  of  these 
plants,  different  species  of  cabbage  worms  being  the  principal  enemies, 
except  in  regions  where  such  other  pests  as  the  harlequin  cabbage 
bug  and  the  cabbage  plant-louse  are  most  numerous. 

The  Imported  Turnip  Leaf-miner  (Scaptomyza  jlaveola  Meig.). — This 
appears  to  be  the  most  abundant  species,  and  has  received  attention 
by  Mr.  D.  \Y.  Coquillett  in  an  article  in   Insect   Life  (Vol.  VII,  1895, 


Pig.  17. — Scaptomyza  jlaveola:  a,  larva:  h.  puparium;  c,  adult;  d,  antenna  of  fly;  e,  work  in  radish  leaf— 
oatural  size:  all  others  enlarged  (reengraved  after  Coquillett). 

pp.  381-383).  Since  that  publication  was  issued  the  writer  reared 
the  same  species  from  the  leaves  of  cabbage  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, the  adult  issuing  June  7.  1900.  October  1  of  the  following-  year 
the  same  species  was  obtained  from  cabbage  at  Tennallytowri,  D.  C. 
It  was  noticed  that  the  mature  flies  were  quite  sluggish  in  the  cool 
temperature  which  prevailed  at  that  time.  Being-  interested  in  this 
group  of  insects,  the  writer  obtained  from  Prof.  H.  Garman,  of  the 
State  agricultural  experiment  station  at  Lexington,  Ky..  a  specimen 
of  the  species  which  he  described  and  figured  on  pages  46-51  of 
Bulletin  No.  10  of  that  station  as  DrosophUa  sp.  This  was  pro- 
nounced by  Mr.  Coquillett  to  be  the  same  as  that  figured  in  Insect 
Life,  and  mentioned  under  the  name  of  Drosophila  Jlaveola.  It  is 
illustrated  herewith  (fig.  17).  Mr.  Coquillett  has  since  adopted  the 
generic  name  of  Scaptomyza.     A  short  notice  is  given  of  this  species 


76 

by  Dr.  W.  E.  Britton  (19th  An.  Kept.  Conn.  Agr.  Expt.  Sta.  for  1895 
[1896],  p.  204:).     He  mentions  it  as  a  leaf -miner  of  the  cauliflower,  and 

states  that  some  plants  growing  in  the  shade  were  seriously  injured, 
while  others  finally  died. 

In  looking  through  the  material  in  the  National  Museum  references 
have  been  obtained  to  rearings  of  this  species  which  have  evidently 
never  been  made  public.  Adults  were  reared  September  9, 1885,  from 
"bolls"  of  horse-nettle  (Solanum  carolinense) — no  locality  given,  but 
with  little  doubt  the  District  of  Columbia  or  vicinity.  July  15,  1894, 
the  flics  were  reared  from  Iceland  poppy  (Papavt  r  m*  didnale)  received 
from  Mrs.  Celia  Thaxter,  Appledon.  Isle  of  Shoals,  off  Portsmouth, 
N.  H. :  and  April  21,  1900,  flies  were  again  reared,  from  the  District 
of  Columbia,  from  larvae  mining  the  leaves  of  mouse-ear  or  thale-crcss 
(Stenopfiragma  thaliana),  a  cruciferous  plant  naturalized  from  Europe. 

The  Native  Cabbage  Leaf-miner  (Scaptamyza  acktstahoew.). — This  was 
reared  with  the  preceding  from  the  same  locality,  adults  issuing  from 
December  ±2  to  28.  They  outnumbered  the  preceding  species  three 
to  one.  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  this  is  the  most  abundant  form 
of  dipterous  leaf-miner  attacking  cruciferous  crops  in  the  South.  We 
have  an  earlier  record  of  the  rearing  of  this  same  species  from  a  growth 
resembling  a  gall  or  fungus  on  the  stems  of  water  lilies,  obtained  by 
Mr.  Albert  Koebele  in  Virginia,  near  the  District  of  Columbia.  August 
24, 1883.  The  flies  issued  September  8,  and  four  days  later  a  different 
species  was  reared. a 

We  have  no  very  complete  knowledge  of  this  insect's  distribution. 
It  occurs,  however,  from  Maine  to  Florida,  and  westward  as  far  as 
Illinois.  From  specimens  in  the  Nutional  Museum  we  have  the  fol- 
lowing localities;  Eastport,  Me.;  Washington.  D.  C;  Virginia;  Bis- 
cay ne  Bay.Fla. :  Augusta, Ga. :  Algonquin,  111.  The  insect  was  described 
from  the  United  States,  and  is  evidently  indigenous  to  our  soil. 

The  Imported  Cabbage  Leaf-miner  (Seaptomysa  graminum  Fallen). — 
This  was  reared  December  22,  1808.  from  leaves  of  cabbage  received 
from  Augusta.  Ga.  This  is  the  second  rearing  of  the  species  from 
cabbage,  the  first  having  been  made  by  Dr.  A.  D.  Hopkins  in  West 
Virginia.  It  is  probable  that  in  time  this  miner  will  be  found  to 
develop  in  many  other  plants,  since  in  Europe  it  is  known  to  attack 
chickweed,  cockle,  lamb's  quarters,  and  two  genera  of  catchfly  or  cam- 
pian  (Viscaria  and  Silene). 

April  5.  1902,  Prof.  H.  A.  Morgan,  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  sent  speci- 
mens in  all  stages,  with  the  statement  that  this  species  was  found  with 
the  corn  stalk-borer  in  sugar  cane  in  that  vicinity,  and  the  larva?  were 
confused  with  the  young  of  the  true  borer. 

In  Europe  this  species  is  common  and  widespread,  and  the  same 
is  true  of  its  distribution  in  this  country,  although  it  appears  to  be 

"This  was  determined  by  Mr.  Coquillett  as  Crassiseta  nigriceps  Loew. 


77 

more  abundant  in  the  North.  Possibly,  however,  this  is  only  appar- 
ent, and  it  may  be  found  to  occur  also  throughout  the  South,  as  it 
was  once  taken  at  Texas  College  Station  by  Prof.  F.  M.  Webster  on 
wheat.  The  distribution  taken  from  specimens  in  the  National  Museum 
includes,  besides  the  District  of  Columbia  and  West  Virginia,  White 
Mountains,  N.  H. ;  Beverly,  Mass.;  Connecticut;  and  Detroit,  Mich. 

It  is  subject  to  parasitism,  but  the  species  of  parasite  does  not  appear 
to  have  been  identified. 

The  Native  Clover  Leaf-miner  (Agromyza  diminuta  Walk.). — During 
the  year  1900  this  species  was  several  times  reared  at  this  office  by  Mr. 
Th.  Pergande  and  the  writer  from  larvae  mining  the  leaves  of  hedge 
mustard  and  smooth  rock  cress  (Arabia  laevigata)  as  well  as  cabbage. 
The  adults  issued  from  the  third  week  in  May  to  the  first  week  in 
June.  The  species  is  treated  in  the  Annual  Reports  of  this  Depart- 
ment for  1879  (p.  200)  as  Oseinis  trifolii,  and  I884(p.  322)  as  0.  bras- 
sicde.  The  above  name  is  suggested  to  distinguish  it  from  preceding 
forms. 

KKMEDIES. 

Nothing  of  value  of  a  remedial  nature  has  been  attempted  in  the 
treatment  of  these  leaf-miners,  as  far  as  the  writer  is  aware,  and  it 
seems  improbable  that  the  application  of  any  poisonous  mixture  would 
destroy  the  larva1  at  any  stage  of  their  growth.  Fortunately  none  of 
these  leaf-miners  i-.  as  a  rule,  very  injurious;  at  least  we  have  no 
records  of  injuries  to  large  interests.  In  small  kitchen  gardens  the 
insects  can  be  controlled  by  clipping  the  infested  leaves  as  soon  as  the 
larval  mines  are  found,  and  destroying  them. 

It  is  possible  that  tin1  Hies  might  be  attracted  to  cans  of  decompos- 
ing turnip  or  cabbage  Leaves,  slightly  sweetened  to  assist  fermentation, 
and  that,  if  a  slight  amount  of  Paris  green,  arsenic,  or  other  arsenical 
be  dropped  in  these  cans,  it  would  effect  the  destruction  of  many  flies. 
Such  cans  should  be  distributed  about  infested  fields.  The  cabbage 
grower  should  know  by  observation  when  to  expect  the  flies  in  his 
vicinity. 

THE  FOUR-SPOTTED  CABBAGE  FLEA-BEETLE. 

{PhyUotrcta  bipustulata  Fab.) 

Throughout  the  summer,  from  May  to  September,  during  the  past 
three  years  the  writer  has  found  this  species  of  flea-beetle,  though  some- 
what sparingly,  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  neighboring  parts  of 
Maryland,  on  cabbage,  turnip,  hedge  mustard  (Sisymbrium  offici- 
nal,), charlock  (Brassica  arvmsis),  and  shepherd's  purse  (Bursa  bursa- 
pastoru). 

PhyUotn  ta  vittata,  the  striped  cabbage  flea-beetle,  was  comparatively 
rare  the  first  year,  and  bipustulata  was  apparently  more  numerous 
than  in  former  years,  which  will  account  for  its  being  noticed  on  so 


78 


many  plants.  The  latter  has  not  previously  been  recorded,  to  the 
writers  knowledge,  to  occur  on  any  particular  plant,  although  it  is  not 
improbable  that  observing  collectors  are  familiar  with  its  occurrence 
on  Cruciferse.  Its  life  habits  have  apparently  never  been  studied,  so 
it  is  not  known  whether  the  larva  is  a  leaf -miner 
or  root-feeder.  The  beetle  appears  here  at  about 
the  same  time  as  the  more  injurious  vittata^  the 
first  observed  date  being  toward  the  end  of  April. 
Egg  deposit  has  been  observed  as  late  as  August  4. 
The  name  above  used  is  suggested  for  the  species. 
This  flea-beetle  (tig.  18)  resembles  vittata  but 
averages  slightly  larger,  and  each  elytron  is  orna- 
mented with  two  large  irregularly  oval  yellow 
spots,  one  humeral,  the  other  subapical.  The 
basal  5  joints  of  the  antenna?  are  paler  than  the 
remainder  and  the  legs  are  more  or  less  rufo- 
testaceous.  The  above  characters  will  serve  to 
distinguish  it  from  individuals  of  vittata  in  which 
the  vitta  is  broken  near  the  middle. 

The  distribution  accorded  by  Horn  (Tr.  Am.  Ent.  Soc,  Vol.  XVI, 
1899,  p.  300)  is  from  Pennsylvania  to  South  Carolina.  The  writer  has 
a  series  from  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  and  these  localities,  together  with  those 
from  the  Hubbard  and  Schwarz  and  other  collections  in  the  National 
Museum  and  a  few  recorded  localities,  give  the  following  list: 

Lancaster,  New  York,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. ;  Camden,  Anglesea,  Orange  Mountains,  Fort 
Lee,  Hudson  County,  and  elsewhere  in  New  Jersey;  Pennsylvania;  Marshall  Hall, 
Md.;  AVashington  and  Tennallytown,  D.  C;  Rosslyn  and  St.  Elmo,  Va. ;  Grand 
Ledge.  Mich.;  Marietta,  Ohio;  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Ya. ;  central  Missouri;  Iowa; 
South  Carolina;  and  Columbus,  Tex. 


Fig.  18.— PhyUotreta  bipus- 
tulata:  beetle— highly 
magnified  (original). 


MISCELLANEOUS  NOTES  ON  SOME  CABBAGE  INSECTS. 

The  Cabbage  Curculio  (Ceutorhynchus  rapse  GylL). — This  species,  an 
account  of  which  was  published  in  Bulletin  23  (n.  s.,  pp.  39-50),  made 
its  appearance  in  still  greater  numbers  in  1900  than  in  the  previous 
year,  and  was  found  in  some  localities  in  abundance  where  it  was 
scarcely  seen  on  previous  occasions. 

At  Cabin  John,  Md.,  all  of  the  cabbage  plants  examined  showed 
attack  b}T  this  beetle,  one  or  more  individuals  being-  always  to  be 
found  on  each  plant.  The  beetles  confined  their  feeding  to  the  edges 
of  the  leaves,  as  previously  noticed.  Kale  was  attacked  in  about  the 
same  proportion,  the  beetles  attacking  the  pods.  Attack  was  confined 
to  the  individuals  of  the  new  generation,  but  the  extent  of  injury 
could  not  be  estimated.  Shepherd's  purse  {Bursa  bursa-pastoris)  was 
found  on  different  occasions  to  harbor  the  beetles,  and  it  seems  prob- 
able that  this  plant  and  kale  serve  as  food  for  the  larvse  as  well  as  for 
the  beetles. 


79 

Dr.  Sylvester  D.  Judd  reported  to  the  writer  that  of  six  specimens 
of  the  rough-winged  swallow  (Steligidopteryx  serripennis)  shot  at 
Marshall  Hall,  Md.,  July  8,  1898,  three  had  eaten  this  beetle,  as  shown 
by  an  examination  of  the  contents  of  their  stomachs. 

The  Seed-stalk  Weevil  (Ceutorhynchus  quadridem  Panz). — After  the 
publication  of  the  writer's  note  (Bulletin  23  n.  s.,  p.  51)  on  the  identity 
of  this  species  with  C.  seriesetosus  Dietz.,  reference  was  noticed  to  the 
same  species  in  Mr.  M.  V.  Slingerland's  Bulletin  78,  of  the  Cornell 
University  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  page  503.  The  remarks 
in  question  form  a  footnote  in  the  discussion  of  the  cabbage-root 
maggot,  and  the  statement  is  made  that  this  weevil  is  a  very  serious 
pest  in  the  great  cabbage  seed-growing  region  on  Long  Island.  To 
make  certain  of  the  identity  of  the  species,  Mr.  Slingerland  kindly 
sent  specimens  from  Nattituck  for  comparison  with  named  specimens. 

Pemphigus  sp.  February  14.  11*01,  Mr.  S.  A.  McHenry,  of  the 
Beeville  substation  of  the  Texa^  Experiment  Stations,  sent  specimens 
of  an  unknown  species  of  Pemphigus,  stating  that  it  was  doing  injury 
to  the  roots  of  cabbage  in  the  vicinity  of  Beeville.  some  of  the  fields 
being  reported  as  totally  destroyed.  One  person  who  furnished 
material  wrote  that  as  soon  as  the  lice  attacked  the  roots  of  the  plants 
the  leaves  turned  yellow  and  the  plants  soon  died.  He  stated  that 
several  tine  patches  hud  been  utterly  destroyed. 

Wasps  as  destroyers  of  cabbage  worms. — During  July  and  August, 
1900,  different  species  of  wasps,  and  particularly  Polistes  j>nU'q>^s  St. 
Farg..  were  observed  hovering  about  worm-eaten  cabbage  plants  in 
several  gardens.  In  one  garden  they  were  always  numerous  in  the 
western  part  of  a  large  patch  of  cabbage.  At  the  extreme  eastern  end 
the  plants  were  more  or  less  protected  by  shade,  particularlv  in  the 
afternoon.  At  this  end  larva'  of  Plutella,  Pionea,  and  Plusia  were 
at  work,  but  no  Pieris,  while  in  the  sunshiny  places,  where  the  wasps 
were  flying  freely,  no  larvae  at  all  could  be  found,  although  holes  in 
the  leaves  were  evidence  that  they  had  been  present.  The  wasps 
were  carefully  watched  on  several  occasions,  and  it  was  plain  from 
their  manner  of  work  that  they  would  first  destroy  the  imported  cab- 
bage worms,  afterward  the  loopers,  and  that  the  Pioneas  would  be  the 
last  to  be  captured,  as  these  bored  directly  into  the  hearts  of  the  cab- 
bage, concealing  themselves  between  two  leaves  in  such  manner  that 
it  would  be  difficult  for  the  wasps  to  find  them  in  the  cursory  manner 
of  their  search.  The  Plutellas,  owing  to  their  smaller  size,  might  pos- 
sibly evade  discovery. 

Singularly,  in  spite  of  utmost  endeavors,  it  was  impossible  to  detect 
a  wasp  in  the  act  of  destroying  a  cabbage  worm,  nevertheless  circum- 
stantial evidence  was  so  strong  that  the  writer  felt  no  hesitation  in 
attributing  the  absence  of  the  w*  worms"  in  the  sunny  portion  of  the 
garden  to  the  presence  of  the  wasps.    The  ' ;  worms  "  working  on  plants 


80 

growing  in  shade  were  nearly  free  from  wasp  attack.  The  wasps 
would  hover  about  a  plant  and  then  alight  and  walk  about  it,  but,  find- 
ing nothing,  would  continue  to  the  next  plant,  and  so  on  to  another. 
The  following  year,  in  the  latter  days  of  August,  the  writer  observed 
this  wasp  attacking  the  larva  of  PL  ris  rapae,  leisurely  chewing  it 
before  flying  away  to  provision  its  nest. 

It  is  evident  that  this  habit  of  wasps  has  been  observed  before.  The 
following  was  published  in  Dr.  Lintner's  third  report  as  State  Ento- 
mologist of  New  York,  for  1886  (1887,  page  135):  "Mr.  C.  R.  Moore, 
of  Johnson  Town,  Va.,  states  that  he  has  seen  the  common  brown  wasp 
(?  Polistes  fitsmtus) seize  the  green  worms  on  cabbage  ('(  Pieris  rapas), 
sting  them  repeatedly,  and  then  carry  them  away." 

The  Cabbage  Root  Maggot  injurious  to  celery. — Mr.  James  Granger, 
Broadalbin,  N.  Y..  mentioned  in  preceding  pages  as  having  reported 
injury  to  celery  by  the  carrot  rust  fly  (Psila  rosse  Fab.),  sent,  under 
date  of  November  19,  1901,  a  larger  larva  than  that  of  the  rust  fly, 
stating  that  it  occurred  in  the  heart  of  celery,  and  that  he  believed  it 
to  be  causing  "  rot."  He  was  aware  that  the  same  species,  or  a  similar 
one,  infested  radish  in  the  same  field,  and  there  is  little  doubt  that 
this  insect  spread  from  the  radish  to  the  celery.  The  cabbage  root 
maggot,  as  its  name  implies,  attacks  cabbage,  including  all  its  varieties, 
as  well  as  most  other  forms  of  cruciferous  plants.  As  Mr.  Granger 
has  shown  himself  a  good  observer  by  his  correspondence,  there  can 
be  no  doubt  of  his  statement  that  these  larva?  occurred  in  celery.  He 
distinguished  the  two  species,  and  sent  the  cabbage  maggots  in  about 
equal  numbers  with  the  rust  fly  maggots.  Celery  appears  to  be  a  new 
food  plant  for  the  cabbage  root  maggot.  The  early  rearings  were 
without  doubt  unnatural,  caused  by  the  overheating  of  the  rooms  in 
which  the  rearing  jars  were  kept. 

While  there  is  no  doubt  that  this  cabbage  maggot  is  quite  closely 
restricted  to  cruciferous  plants  for  food,  it  will  occasionally,  in  case 
of  emergency,  attack  plants  of  other  botanical  orders.  Miss  Ormerod 
has  quoted  Mr.  Meade  as  saying  that  maggots  were  reared  in  1882 
from  "earth  round  partly  decayed  clover  roots,''  while  Lintner  has 
stated  on  one  occasion  that  the  larva?  had  been  detected  mining  the 
leaves  of  beet  (Bui.  78,  C.  U.  Agr.  Expt.  Sta.,  1894,  p.  513). 

OBSERVATIONS  ON  INSECTS  AFFECTING  LATE  CABBAGE  AND 

SIMILAR  CROPS. 

Some  attention  has  been  given  by  the  writer  in  recent  years  to  the 
study  of  some  of  our  common  insect  enemies  of  cruciferous  crops, 
with  a  view  to  ascertaining  more  in  regard  to  them,  and  the  notes 
which  follow  were  made  to  determine  just  how  far  careless  methods 
of  culture  are  to  blame  for  injury  by  these  insects.  Brief  mention 
has  been  made  in  Bulletin  22  (n.  s.,pp.  55-61)  and  in  Bulletin  30  (n.  s.. 


81 

pp.  63-75)  of  the  effects  of  cold  and  of  parasitic  attack  in  limiting  the 
increase  of  these. insects.  This  work  has  been  continued,  with  some 
results  which  appeal'  to  justify  the  furnishing-  of  more  details. 

The  study  of  extreme  cold  and  its  effect  upon  insects  affecting 
crucifers  was  continued  until  late  in  December,  after  which  time  it 
usually  happens  that  we  have  severe  freezes  which  put  a  practical  end 
to  the  breeding  of  most  insects.  Some  species  were  actually  found 
breeding  upon  winter  cabbage  as  late  as  December  24,  and  this  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that,  with  the  exception  of  perhaps  seven  days  distributed 
at  intervals  through  November  and  December,  there  had  been  con- 
tinuous nightly  frosts  from  the  time  when  observations  began  in  the 
last  week  of  November  until  their  completion.  Observations  were 
conducted  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  at  near-by  points  in  Mary- 
land. The  species  under  particular  observation  were  live  in  number. 
There  was  n<>  great  difference  as  t<>  the  number  of  individuals  or 
injuriousness.  The  approximate  order,  however,  was  as  follows:  The 
cabbage  plant-louse  (Aphis  hrassicae  Linn.),  diamond-back  moth  (Phi- 
f,//,i  crudferarum  Zeli.),  harlequin  cabbage  bug  (Murgcmtia  histri- 
<>n!c<i  Halm.),  imported  cabbage  butterfly  (Pieris  rapae  Linn.),  and  the 
cabbage  looper  (Plmia  brassica  Riley).  Of  these  the  diamond-back 
moth  was  the  most  active,  and  the  looper  and  the  larva  of  the  imported 
cabbage  butterfly  the  most  injurious. 

Like  many  introduced,  and  Southern  forms  of  insects  which  have 
recently  migrated  northward  from  the  South,  these  species  remain 
feeding  in  the  field  long  alter  most  of  our  strictly  native  forms,  or  those 
which  have  long  been  established  in  the  District  and  vicinity,  have 
sought  winter  quarters. 

The  Imported  Cabbage  Butterfly  (  \Pu  ris  ropa  Linn.). — Larvae  were 
noticed  the  last  week  of  November  feeding  with  the  others  which  have 
been  mentioned  on  late  cabbage.  The  work  of  this  species  and  the 
cabbage  looper  was  noticeable  on  all  old  leaves.  Many  larvae  were  not 
above  half  grown  at  this  time,  showing  that  egg  deposit  had  taken 
place  not  earlier  than  the  last  week  of  October,  and  perhaps  in  early 
November.  Larvae  taken  at  this  time  fed  freely  on  cabbage,  and  most 
of  them  attained  maturity  during  the  second  week  of  December. 

It  was  quite  noticeable  that  when  rains  and  freezing  weather 
occurred  during  December,  the  larvae  crawled  deeper  into  the  large 
heads  of  cabbage,  where  they  appeared  to  be  abundantly  protected. 

It  was  noticed  throughout  the  season,  and  particularly  in  late  autumn 
and  early  winter,  that  this  species  was  remarkably  free  from  disease 
as  compared  with  Plusia  occurring  on  the  same  beds  and  same  cabbage 
plants,  a  fact,  however,  that  has  been  observed  by  others. 

The  Diamond-back  Moth  (PluteUa  &*udferarwm  Zell.). — In  recent 
years  this  species  has  always  been  found  in  about  the  same  abundance 
in  spring  and  summer,  but  it  sometimes  occurs,  like  the  other  species, 
23987— No.  33—02 6 


82 

more  abundantly  late  in  the  year  than  earlier  in  the  season.  During 
the  last  week  of  November  larva?  have  been  seen  nearly  grown,  with 
about  an  equal  number  of  pupa?  at  the  same  time.  Moths  captured 
then  deposited  eggs  even  in  a  quite  cold  temperature.  As  with  the 
imported  cabbage  worm,  most  larva?  transformed  to  pupa?  during  the 
first  week  of  December.     Moths  began  issuing  from  this  lot  December  9. 

An  interesting  feature  in  connection  with  the  late  occurrence  of  this 
species  was  the  presence  at  the  same  time  of  one  of  its  most  active 
parasites,  an  Ichneumonid  Li  inner  ia  tihiator  Cr.  These  parasites 
began  issuing  the  same  time  as  the  moths  just  noted,  showing  that  the 
enemy  has  about  the  same  time  of  appearance  in  the  fall  as  its  host, 
and  perhaps  this  is  the  same  in  the  spring.  Such  coincidence  in  the 
time  of  occurrence  of  a  parasite  and  its  host,  however,  the  writer 
believes  to  be  rather  exceptional. 

Moths  were  seen  on  a  warm  day,  December  13,  flying  in  the  sun- 
shine. This  was  after  three  or  four  days  of  very  cold  weather. 
Nearly  every  head  of  cabbage  that  was  touched  was  found  to  harbor 
one  or  more  moths,  while  others  were  flying  about  other  vegetation  of 
the  vicinity.  At  no  time  during  the  entire  year  were  moths  seen  in 
anything  like  the  same  abundance  as  at  this  time  in  mid-December. 
Larva?  and  pupa?  were  also  observed. 

The  Harlequin  Cabbage  Bug  (Murgantia  histrionica  Hahn). — This 
insect  was  exposed  to  the  same  atmospheric  conditions  as  the  preceding 
species,  and  was  observed  feeding  with  them  until  late  in  November. 
When  flelds  were  visited  during  the  middle  of  December,  however, 
none  of  the  bugs  were  to  be  found  in  exposure  upon  the  plants,  although, 
as  has  been  said,  the  diamond- back  moth  was  flying  freely  in  the  bright 
sunshine.  Under  leaves  which  touched  the  ground  some  specimens 
were  found,  and  such  stalks  as  were  pulled  up  and  shaken  showed  that 
many  of  the  bugs  had  crawled  in  between  the  leaves  into  protected 
places.  They  were  dislodged  in  some  numbers,  two  score  and  more 
being  found  in  single  large  heads.  When  the  infested  cabbage  fields 
were  visited  a  month  later  it  was  seen  that  the  more  severe  frost  which 
had  occurred  during  the  month  had  killed  great  numbers.  By  gather- 
ing numbers  of  the  bugs  and  taking  them  home  for  counting,  an 
estimate  was  made  that  85  per  cent  had  been  killed.  Cold  spells  which 
followed  afterwards  doubtless  killed  many  more. 

As  a  result  of  study  of  this  species  for  several  seasons,  it  has  been 
ascertained  that  the  bugs  do  not,  as  a  rule,  issue  from  hibernating 
quarters  until  near  the  end  of  April.  Eggs  were  first  noticed  on  the 
28th  of  that  month,  but  in  some  seasons  the  bugs  may  lay  earlier.  The 
first  imagos  of  the  new  brood  have  been  observed  to  develop  during 
the  last  week  of  June,  the  26th  being  the  first  observed  date  of  their 
development.  The  second  generation  usually  begins  to  develop  about 
the  beginning  of  the  third  week  of  August. 


83 

The  wheel  bug  {Prion  id  us  cristatus)  was  observed  attacking  the 
nymphs  of  this  bug  on  several  occasions  during  June. 

The  Cabbage  Looper  (Plusia  brassicae  Riley). — The  observations  which 
were  conducted  on  this  species  were  much  the  same  as  for  Pieris 
rapse,  with  which  it  was  associated.  Numerous  larvae  were  still  living 
in  the  fields  as  late  as  the  middle  of  December.  At  this  time  one  larva 
was  found  less  than  half  grown,  showing  that  the  eggs  had  been 
deposited  about  the  last  week  of  November. 

The  Cabbage  Plant-louse  (Aphis  brassicde  Linn.). — Of  this  species  it 
was  observed  thai  numerous  individuals,  but  no  winged  forms,  wer^ 
still  present  in  cabbage  fields  by  the  middle  of  December,  mostly, 
however,  in  the  hearts  of  cabbage  where  they  had  crawled  for  protec- 
tion.    No  parasites  or  other  enemies  could  be  observed  at  this  time. 

A  number  of  individuals  of  this  plant-louse  were  kept  in  the  insectary 
of  this  Department  in  the  coolest  temperature  that  could  be  obtained, 
the  object  being  to  have  them  furnish  food  for  ladybirds.  It  was 
noticed  that  they  survived  a  temperature  of  20c  F.,  which  occurred 
dining  three  successive  days  in  February,  and  that  they  were  active  a 
few  degrees  above  the  freezing  point,  seeming  to  be  able  to  fly,  since 
winged  individuals  were  found  at  the  top  of  rearing  cages  a  foot 
above  the  plant  on  which  they  had  been  feeding  at  a  temperature  a 
little  below  40°  F.  Meanwhile  the  ladybirds,  although  not  dormant, 
were  inactive,  responding  feebly  to  stimulation. 

CONCLUSIONS. 

The  practice  of  planting  late  cabbage  and  other  crucifers  is  calcu- 
lated to  be  of  great  benefit  to  several  species  of  insects,  particularly 
those  just  mentioned,  and  the  particular  reasons  are  that,  as  a  rule, 
natural  enemies,  such  as  parasites  and  wasps,  and  diseases  are  less 
active  in  cool  weather,  while  their  hosts  are  seemingly  nearly  as  active 
as  in  warm  weather.  This,  of  course,  is  not  realty  the  case;  they  do 
not  work  so  many  hours  in  a  day,  and  their  growth  is  slower.  The 
trouble  is  that  the  farmer  and  truck  grower  generally,  at  least  in  those 
parts  of  Maryland  and  Virginia  lying  near  the  District  of  Columbia, 
appear  to  think  that  the  insects  have  disappeared  to  such  an  extent 
that  it  is  not  necessary  to  apply  remedies.  For  the  imported  cabbage 
worm,  the  looper,  and  the  larva  of  the  diamond-back  moth,  this  is  the 
best  time  to  make  applications  of  poisons,  as  the  crops  are  not  needed 
until  a  considerable  time  after  poisons  are  applied,  and  this  does  away 
writh  any  danger  of  poisoning  to  human  beings.  Many  individuals  of 
the  insects  mentioned,  without  doubt,  perish  for  lack  of  food,  as  most 
wild  crucifers  are  dead  at  such  times. 

Such  cabbage  as  is  pulled  and  "heeled  in"  and  covered  with  under- 
brush is  apt  to  carry  with  it  many  individuals  of  all  of  the  five  cabbage 
pests  under  discussion,  and  when  the  cabbage  heads  are  covered  with 


84 

brush  this  affords  a  fine  shelter  against  storms  and  cold.  A  very 
large  percentage  of  injury  to  cabbage  in  the  spring  (and  this  is  the 
time  when  the  principal  damage  by  the  imported  cabbage  worm  is 
done)  could  be  avoided  by  treating  the  cabbage  freely  with  Paris  green, 
and  the  same  applies  to  stalks  left  in  the  field  for  sprouts.  Stalks  that 
are  not  needed  for  this  purpose  should  be  pulled  up  and  burned  as 
rapidly  as  their  uselessness  is  manifest,  and  all  rubbish  should  be 
destroyed  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  gardens. 

Not  alone  cabbage,  but  all  other  crucifers  should  be  freely  poisoned, 
and  if  this  were  practiced  over  considerable  areas  the  effect  the  follow- 
ing spring  would  soon  be  observable.  If  plant-lice  are  found  to  be  at 
work,  kerosene  emulsion  should  also  be  applied  to  the  crucifers  where 
this  would  not  interfere  with  their  food  qualities.  Where  the  cabbage 
is  destined  to  be  soon  eaten,  pyrethrum,  or  Persian  insect  powder, 
should  be  applied. 

It  does  not  seem  that*  the  present  methods  of  growing  late  crucifers 
has  any  appreciable  effect  upon  the  development  of  the  harlequin  bug, 
but  care  should  be  used  not  to  permit  accumulations  where  the  insects 
can  hibernate,  and  a  trap  crop  of  kale  should  always  be  left  in  the 
field,  or  planted  as  early  as  possible  in  the  spring,  and  from  this  trap 
crop  the  insects  can  be  collected,  or  after  the  main  portion  of  it  is 
taken  out  for  use  the  remainder  can  be  burned,  with  the  insects  which 
it  contains. 

In  one  field  recently  visited  in  the  latter  days  of  April,  a  patch  of 
about  half  an  acre  of  kale  was  found  to  be  infested  rather  freely  along 
one  side  by  harlequin  bugs.  The  gardener  was  advised  to  burn  this 
side  of  the  patch,  using  straw  to  facilitate  the  operation.  This  was 
done,  and  when  the  garden  was  visited  two  weeks  later  not  a  single 
specimen  of  the  bugs  could  be  found  in  a  walk  about  this  patch.  The 
same  was  true  of  the  cabbage  grown  in  the  same  vicinity. 

THE  SEED-CORN  MAGGOT. 

{Pliorhw  fusciceps  Zett. ) 

For  a  number  of  years  economic  entomologists  in  several  portions 
of  this  country  and  Canada  have  had  frequent  complaints  of  injuries 
by  a  maggot  working  on  young  growing  beans.  More  recently  this 
maggot  has  been  found  to  destroy  peas  in  the  same  manner. 

Considerable  doubt  has  been  expressed  in  some  early  publications 
on  this  insect  as  to  its  identit}T,  whether  it  is  the  same  species  as  the 
cabbage  root  maggot  or  specifically  distinct.  This  was  caused  by  the 
fact  that  both  species  attack  the  roots  of  cabbage,  sometimes  acting  in 
concert  and  by  the  further  fact  that  the  group  to  which  these  insects 
belong,  two-winged  flies  of  the  family  AnthornyiidsB,  had  not  been 
carefully  studied.  The  species  under  discussion,  known  by  several 
popular  names   besides  seed-corn   maggot,  including  "  bean  fly,"  has 


85 

received  no  less  than  seven  Latin  names  showing-  its  description  that 
many  times  as  a  supposedly  new  species. 

A  careful  perusal  of  the  notebooks  of  this  office  as  well  as  of  litera- 
ture go  to  show  that  this  maggot  is  considerably  more  destructive  to 
beans  than  to  corn,  and  as  many  of  our  Divisional  notes  have  not  been 
recorded  they  may  be  mentioned  here  in  connection  with  reports  of 
injury. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

The  parent  fly  of  this  maggot  looks  to  the  casual  observer  much  like 
a  small  house  fly.  It  can  best  be  identified  by  the  male  (fig.  19,  a). 
The  principal  characteristics  of  the  male  consist  in  a  row  of  short, 
rigid,  bristly  hairs  of  nearly  equal  length  on  the  inner  side  "of  the 
posterior  tibia?  or  shanks.     The  female  can  scarcely  be  distinguished 


Fig.  19. — Phorbia  fusciceps:  a,  male  fly,  dorsal  view;  1>.  female,  lateral  view:  c,  head  of  female,  from 
above;  (/.  larva,  from  side;  <.  anal  segment  of  larva:  ./'.  anal  spiracles:  g.  thoracic  spiracles;  ft, 
puparium— all  much  enlarged  (original). 

from  those  of  related  species,  such  as  the  adults  of  the  cabbage  root 
maggot  and  onion  maggot.  The  length  of  the  body  is  about  one-tifth 
inch  C»""")  and  the  wing  expanse  about  two-fifths  (9.5mm). 

T/<>  larva  also  resemble  the  species  mentioned.  Like  other  mag- 
gots, they  are  footless  and  of  cylindrical  form.  As  will  be  seen  by 
illustration  19,  d,  which  represents  a  larva  in  profile,  they  are  narrowed 
at  the  anterior  extremity  and  enlarged  posteriorly.  They  are,  however, 
considerably  smaller  than  the  onion  maggot,  measuring  about  one- 
fourth  of  an  inch  (6mm)  in  length  and  about  one-sixth  as  wide  at  the 
thickest  portion.  Alcoholic  specimens  are  very  pale  yellow  in  color, 
and  the  chitinous  or  harder  parts  at  the  ends  are  usually  considerably 
darker.  The  anal  segment  is  shown  at  e\  f  represents  the  anal 
spiracles,  and  </  the  thoracic  ones.  There  appear  to  be  only  6  or  T 
divisions  in  the  cephalic  spiracles,  whereas  in  the  onion-feeding  species 
there  are  usually  11  or  12  such  divisions. 


86 

The  puparvam  (h)  is  barrel-shaped,  of  elliptical  outline,  and  light 
brown  in  color.  It  measures  about  three-twentieths  of  an  inch  (4ram) 
and  is  about  one- third  that  in  diameter. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

The  fact  of  this  fly  having  been  described  first  in  Germany  in  1845 
and  of  its  not  having  been  identified  in  this  country  until  more  than  a 
decade  later  is  indicative  of  European  origin.  It  appears  to  have  been 
first  recognized  in  New  York  State  by  Dr.  Fitch  in  the  year  1856. 
Like  so  many  other  flies,  it  ranges  through  several  life  areas,  and  we 
know  of  its  occurrence  in  Canada  and  Minnesota,  southward  to  the 
Gulf,  and  westward  to  the  Pacific. 

The  following  list  of  localities  has  been  compiled  from  published 
records  and  from  specimens  in  the  National  Museum: 

Holderness  and  White  Mountains,  N.  H.;  Beverly,  Mass.;  Greenport,  Ithaca, 
Long  Island,  Albany  (?),  and  Elmira,  N.  Y. ;  Ridgewood,  Palisades,  Atlantic  High- 
lands, Westville,  Jamesburg,  and  Riverton,  N.  J.;  Travilah,  Md.;  Washington  and 
Benning,  D.  C. ;  Falls  Church,  Va. ;  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio;  Lexington,  Ky. ; 
Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.;  Algonquin  and  Altamont,  111.;  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.; 
Plainfield,  Wis. ;  Park  Rapids,  Wadena,  Alexandria,  Camden  Place,  Rockport,  and 
St.  Paul,  Minn.;  University,  N.  Dak.;  Tabor,  Iowa;  Nebraska;  Hiawatha,  Lawrence, 
and  Parsons,  Kans. ;  Eureka,  Mo.;  South  Carolina;  Augusta,  Meansville,  and 
Atlanta,  Ga. ;  Florida;  Auburn  and  Boligee,  Ala.;  Mississippi;  Shreveport,  La.; 
Rollover  and  College  Station,  Tex.;  Las  Cruces  and  Beulah,  N.  Mex.;  Salida,  Colo.; 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.;  Ottawa,  Ontario,  and  Chateauguay  Basin,  Quebec;  Lambton 
County,  Aitkens  Ferry,  and  Prince  Edward  Island,  Cinada. 

RECENT    OCCURRENCES. 

During  1899  this  fly  was  found  in  privies  and  reared  sparingly  with 
other  insects  inhabiting  human  excrement.  (Howard,  Proc.  Wash. 
Acad.  Sci.,  Vol.  II,  p.  584.)  January  4  it  was  reared  from  cabbage 
received  from  Augusta,  Ga. ,  and  infested  also  with  the  imported  cab- 
bage web  worm  (Hellula  undalis). 

March  27  we  received  specimens  of  the  larva  from  Mr.  F.  S.  Earle, 
Auburn,  Ala.,  who  wrote  that  the  species  was  destroying  a  planting 
of  garden  peas  at  that  place,  eating  out  and  boring  the  underground 
stems  of  young  plants,  sometimes  destroying  the  plant  before  it  could 
get  above  ground.  April  2  he  wrote  that  an  entire  planting  of  peas 
had  been  destroyed.  The  previous  year  he  lost  many  plants  of  snap 
beans  in  much  the  same  manner,  attributing  the  loss  to  the  same 
species. 

June  23  the  writer  reared  a  considerable  number  of  the  flies  from 
beans  in  a  somewhat  novel  manner,  and  one  that  suggests  itself  as  of 
considerable  utility  in  rearing  root-feeding  species.  In  the  course  of 
experiments  it  was  found  necessary  to  place  gauze  frames  over  several 
hills  of  beans  on  an  experimental  plat.     These  were  left  in  place  for  a 


87 

week,  and  were  fitted  tightly  to  the  earth.  At  the  end  of  this  time 
many  flies  were  found  and  a  number  captured  for  identification. 

During  the  same  month  Mr.  E.  E.  Ewell,  assistant  chemist,  called 
the  writer's  attention  to  injury  to  bean  stalks  grown  on  the  Depart- 
ment grounds,  due  to  the  work  of  a  maggot  and  to  other  causes. 
Some  were  collected  and  reared  to  the  adult,  which  proved  to  be 
Phorbia Jkisciceps.     The  fly  issued  June  11. 

November  6  to  15  the  species  was  again  reared  from  cabbage  from 
Meansville,  Ga. 

In  1900,  May  15,  we  received  larvae  from  Mr.  E.  A.  Wilson,  Roll- 
over. Tex.,  where  they  were  doing  much  damage  to  the  roots  of  cab- 
bage. June  20  we  received  information  of  the  occurrence  of  the  flies 
in  alarming  numbers  at  Falls  Church,  Va. 

EARLIER   DIVISIONAL  RECORDS  OF  INJURY  AND  OCCURRENCES. 

March  5,  1880,  we  received  from  Mr.  J.  S.  Newman.  Atlanta,  Ga., 
a  lot  of  turnips  infested  by  the  maggot  of  this  species. 

April  8,  1884,  a  fly  appeared  from  among  a  lot  of  Tineid  galls  col- 
lected by  Mr.  A.  Koebele  on  poplar  at  Holderness,  N.  H. 

December  1.  L885,  we  received  from  Mr.  J.  G.  Jack,  at  that  time 
at  Chateauguay  Basin,  Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  specimens  of  this 
fly  with  the  statement  that  the  larvae  had  been  very  destructive  to 
beans  that  summer.  This  attack  will  be  mentioned  more  at  length 
under  the  heading  "  Literature  of  the  species.'" 

June  7,  1S89,  we  received  larva1  from  Mr.  F.  N.  Tillinghast,  Green- 
port,  N.  Y.,  with  the  report  that  the  species  was  doing  much  damage 
to  the  roots  of  young  cabbage. 

April  30,  1890,  we  received  from  Mr.  Clark,  Benning,  D.  C,  some 
young  cabbage  plants  ruined  by  this  maggot. 

During  1894  we  received,  August  6,  from  Mr.  M.  V.  Slingerland, 
Ithaca,  X.  Y.,  larvae  about  which  he  has  published,  as  will  be  pres- 
ently mentioned.  Later  we  received  from  the  same  correspondent 
adults  reared  from  cabbage  roots  on  Long  Island.  September  11  we 
received  this  species  in  cabbage  heads  from  Mr.  L.  H.  Reed,  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich.  From  this  lot  the  mature  flies  issued  June  11,  18,  and 
20  of  the  following  year. 

June  11,  1895,  Mr.  Reed  sent  bean  plants  showing  injury  by  this 
species  from  Plaintield,  Wis.  (See  Ins.  Life,  Vol.  VII,  p.  129.)  Feb- 
ruary 5.  1895,  we  received  word  from  F.  A.  Young  &  Co.,  of  New 
York  City,  that  this  species  was  causing  considerable  trouble  to  cab- 
bage crops  in  South  Carolina.  It  appeared  to  confine  its  operations 
to  the  stems  and  roots,  and  was  more  plentiful  in  new  land. 


LITERATURE    OF    THE    SPECIES. 

Dr.  Fitch's  account  of  this  species  is  brief.  He  noticed  that  the  fly 
occurred  in  abundance  upon  the  heads  of  wheat  the  latter  part  of  June 
in  New  York,  presumably  in  the  neighborhood  of  Albany,  and  as  this 
fly  had  been  currently  regarded  as  the  parent  of  the  wheat  midge 
(Dvplosis  tritici  Kirby),  he  gave  the  insect  some  attention,  and,  finding 
it  new  to  our  fauna,  described  it  as  the  deceiving  wheat  fly  (Hylemyia 
deceptiva)  (1st  Rept.  Ins.  N.  Y.  for  1856,  p.  301,  PI.  I,  fig.  3).  Noth- 
ing was  known  by  Fitch  of  the*  habits  of  this  species  further  than 
that  the  flies  hovered  over  and  alighted  upon  wheat  heads  at  the  time 
when  they  were  in  flower.  In  1869  Dr.  Riley  redescribed  this  species 
(1st  Mo.  Rpt.,  pp.  151-156,  PI.  II,  fig.  21,  text  figs.  86  and  87),  giving 
it  the  name  of  the  seed-corn  maggot  (Anthomyia  zeas),*  also  the  corn 
Anthomyia.  The  maggots  were  noticed  attacking  kernels  of  sprout- 
ing corn  in  the  vicinity  of  Ridgewood,  N.  J.,  and  in  other  fields  in  the 
same  (Bergen)  county.  Mere  mention  of  the  species  was  made  the 
same  year  by  Riley,  and  the  case  is  cited  here  to  show  the  tendency 
that  existed  even  in  those  early  days,  as  well  as  later,  to  multiply 
book  names  for  insects.  He  refers  to  the  species  as  the  "  seed-corn 
flower-fly"  (American  Ent.,  Vol.  II,  p.  137).  In  1877  Dr.  Riley's  third 
account  of  this  species  appears  under  the  title  "The  Anthom}Tia  egg- 
parasite"''  (Anthomyia  angustifrons  Meigen).  The  statement  is  made 
that  in  the  fall  of  1876.  the  maggot  destroyed  about  10  per  cent  of 
locust  eggs  in  Missouri,  Kansas,  and  Nebraska,  and  in  some  localities 
a  much  larger  percentage;  it  was  quite  common  also  in  Iowa  and  Min- 
nesota and  occurred  in  Colorado  and  Texas  (1st  Rept.  U.  S.  Ent.  Com. 
for  1877  [1878],  pp.  285-289). 

During  1885  this  species  was  injurious  to  beans  at  Chateauguay, 
Quebec,  Canada  (John  G.  Jack,  Can.  Ent.,  Vol.  XVIII,  p.  22;  17th 
Ann.  Rpt.  Ent.  Soc.  Ont.,  1887,  p.  17).  The  beans  were  planted  June 
15,  and  in  that  part  of  the  field  that  was  most  seriously  injured  at  least 
nine-tenths  of  the  crop  was  destroyed.  Ten  days  after  planting,  as 
few  beans  had  appeared  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  examination 
was  made  as  to  the  cause,  and  it  was  then  found  that  nearly  every  bean 
was  infested  by  from  1  to  25  maggots.  Both  stems  and  seed  leaves 
were  attacked.  B}^  the  28th  of  June  many  larvae  had  pupated,  and 
scarcely  a  maggot  was  found  after  July  2.  The  adults  issued  July  10. 
Mr.  Jack,  in  reporting  this  occurrence,  stated  that  tbif  this  bean- 
feeding  habit  of  the  insect  should  become  general,  it  might  prove  very 
annoying." 

In  Insect  Life  (Vol.  VI,  p.  372)  Dr.  Howard,  in  referring  to  para- 
sites of  the  sugar-beet  webworm,  makes  mention  of  this  species, 
stating,  among  other  things,  that  the  fly  had  been  reared  by  Dr.  Riley 

"Spelled  on  both  pages  154  and  155  "zms,"  without  doubt  a  typographical  error. 


89 

from  the  roots  of  cabbage  and  radish.  It  was  surmised  that  the  larvse 
fed  upon  beet  roots  and  perhaps  crawled  into  the  larval  cases  of  the 
webworm  for  pupation.  The  writer  indorses  this  opinion,  and  it 
would  seem  that  beet  is  to  be  added  as  a  food  plant  of  this  insect. a 
As  in  previous  cases  of  reported  injury,  the  maggots  attacked  the 
plants  before  they  appeared  above  ground,  and  were  found  in  the 
stems  after  the  plant  had  reached  a  height  of  about  2  inches. 

In  the  year  1894  this  species  did  damage  to  bean  plants  in  Tippecanoe 
County,  Ind.,  and  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  as  reported  by  Mr.  F. 
M.  Webster  (Insect  Life,  Vol.  VII,  pp.  '2^-'K)b).  Adults  were  reared 
June  10  to  18.     The  nature  of  attack  was  as  usual  with  this  species. 

In  the  late  Dr.  Lugger's  first  annual  report  as  entomologist  of 
Minnesota  for  1895  (1890,  pp.  111-114,  pi.  14,  fig.  58),  injury  to  young 
bean  stalks  by  what  is  probably  this  insect  is  treated,  the  species 
receiving  mention  as  the  bean-fly  (Anthomyia  sp.).  Whole  fields  of 
beans,  in  many  places  containing  many  acres,  were  reported  as  being 
completely  ruined  in  the  vicinity  of  Park  Rapids,  Minn.  At  Wadena, 
Minn.,  injury  was  also  noted.  After  the  seed  had  been  planted  about 
ten  days  and  had  not  conic  up.  Mr.  H.  W.  Fuller,  the  correspondent 
in  question,  had  dug  into  the  hills  and  found  the  beans  gone.  It  was 
not  until  he  had  opened  several  hills  that  he  succeeded  in  finding  the 
maggots.  According  to  Dr.  Lugger,  about  one-third  of  the  State  was 
more  or  less  infested  with  this  enemy,  which  was  new  as  regards 
known  injury  there.  On  some  farms  the  insect  destroyed  nearly  all 
bean  plants,  while  on  others  farmers  were  forced  to  reseed  their  fields. 
Another  locality  specifically  mentioned  as  having  suffered  losses  from 
this  insect  was  Alexandria,  Minn.,  where  about  25  per  cent  of  the  crop 
was  destroyed,  necessitating  replanting. 

In  1897  this  maggot  was  concerned  in  injury  to  seed-corn  at 
Aitkens  Ferry,  Prince  Edward  Island,  Canada.  The  corn  was  planted 
June  5  about  ?>  inches  deep,  and  very  little  showed  above  ground. 
The  spring  was  described  as  very  wet  and  cold  in  that  locality.  This 
is  recorded  by  Mr.  M.  V.  Slingerland  (Rural  New  Yorker,  September 
11.  1897,  p.  59<!). 

In  the  yea]-  1900  Prof.  W.  Lochhead,  Guelph,  Canada,  reported 
what  is  also  in  all  probability  the  seed-corn  maggot1'  as  injurious 
during  that  year  in  Lambton  County,  Canada.  His  note  is  published 
under  the  caption  of  "The  Bean  fly  (Anthamyia  radicum)",  and  he 
states  that  in  June  many  complaints  reached  him  regarding  the  attacks 
of    " grubs"   on   beans.     Hundreds  of  acres   were   being  destroyed, 

:'  Mention  is  made  of  the  synonymy  of  this  species,  but  the  insect  is  unfortunately 
referred  to  as  Phorbia  fascipes  Zett. 

b  There  is  very  little  doubt  that  the  insect  which  was  so  injurious  in  1895  in 
Minnesota  and  in  1900  in  Canada  was  Phorbia  fusciceps,  but  specimens  are  not  avail- 
able, hence  the  identification  can  not  be  positively  made  at  present. 


90 

many  beans  did  not  germinate  at  all,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  maggot 
ate  the  interior  of  the  seed,  while  many  stems  failed  to  develop 
through  the  destruction  of  the  central  portion  of  them.  Professor 
Lochhead  was  of  the  opinion  that  injury  might  have  been  due  to  deep 
planting.  The  note  in  question,  31st  Rept.  Ent.  Soc.  Ont.  for  1900 
(1901,  p.  73),  was  illustrated  with  a  figure  adapted  from  Dr.  Lugger's. 

A  review  of  the  known  history  of  this  species  was  given  by  Dr.  Lint- 
ner  in  1882  (1st  Rpt.  Ins.  N.  Y.,  pp.  181-184),  and  later,  in  1894,  Mr. 
Slingerland  gave  a  similar  review  (Bui.  78,  Cor.  Univ.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta., 
1894,  pp.  499-501).  Dr.  Forbes  also  published  an  account  in  1894 
(18th  Rpt.  St.  Ent  111.  for  1891  and  1892.  pp.  16-19),  which  includes 
a  few  notes  on  occurrences  in  the  seed  of  corn  and  dates  of  rearing, 
and  detailed  descriptions  of  the  larva,  puparium,  and  imago,  with 
original  illustrations.  Some  shorter  accounts  have  been  published 
that  add  little  to  our  knowledge  of  this  seed  maggot. 

Although  this  insect  is  not  restricted  to  either  corn  or  beans,  it 
seems  to  the  writer  that  the  name  ;i  seed-corn  maggot,"  bestowed  upon 
it  years  ago  by  Dr.  Riley,  may  be  retained  in  preference  to  "  Fringed 
Anthomyiian,"  which  has  recently  been  proposed.  It  has  priority, 
and  the  latter  name  would  not  be  apt  to  be  adopted  by  the  average 
person  engaged  in  agriculture. 

The  following  are  among  the  synonyms  of  Phorbia  fusciceps  Zett. : 

Aricia  fuseiceps  Zett.,  1S45;  Hylemyia  deceptira  Fitch,  1856;  Chortophila  cUicrura 
Rond.,  1866;  Anthomyia  zae  Riley,  1869;  Anthomyia  radicum  var.  calopteni  Riley, 
1877;  Anthomyia  angustifrons  Meigen,  1878;  Phorbia  cUicrura  Rond  (Meade),  1883. 

SUMMARY   OF   FOOD   HABITS. 

From  what  has  been  related  of  the  habits  of  this  species  it  will  be 
seen  that  real  injury  is  practically  confined  to  planted  seeds  and  very 
3Toung  sprouting  plants,  particularly  of  Indian  corn  and  beans  of  dif- 
ferent kinds.  When  young  plants  of  bean,  corn,  and  cabbage  are  not 
available  it  will  attack  other  plants,  and  future  study  will  undoubtedl\T 
show  that  it  has  a  wide  range  of  these.  Peas  are  attacked  in  the  same 
manner,  but  this  does  not  appear  to  have  previously  been  recorded. 
It  may  be,  from  the  fact  of  Fitch  finding  the  flies  so  abundantly  in  wheat 
fields,  that  the  insect  also  attacks  sprouting  wheat,  as  the  fact  that 
injury  has  not  been  detected  is  no  indication  that  attack  is  not  made. 
There  is  little  doubt  that  beets  are  attacked.  Turnips  and  radish  are 
known  to  be  infested,  and  it  seems  more  than  probable  that  the  insect 
may  feed  on  decaying  vegetable  and  perhaps  animal  matter,  as  the 
larva'  are  so  frequently  found  on  such  portions  of  plants  as  have  first 
been  attacked  by  other  insects.  The  rearing  of  the  fly  from  galls  on 
poplar,  previously  mentioned,  is  an  unusual  indication  of  the  last-men- 
tioned habit.  Dr.  Riley's  account  of  the  species  having  been  bene- 
ficial upward  of  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  by  feeding  upon  locust 


91 

eggs  should  not  be  overlooked.  It  does  not  necessarily  show  more 
than  an  occasional  carnivorous  habit,  as  the  attack  under  consideration 
occurred  during  extreme  abundance  of  the  locusts.  The  onion  has 
been  recorded  as  a  food  plant  in  England,  seed  potatoes  have  been 
attacked,  according  to  Lintner,  and  hedge  mustard  has  been  recorded 
as  a  food  plant  by  Slingerland. 

LIFE    HISTORY. 

The  life  economy  of  the  seed-corn  maggot  is  very  imperfectly  under- 
stood. In  spite  of  the  many  writings  on  this  insect  the  species  has 
evidently  never  been  under  continuous  observation  in  any  locality,  and 
what  has  been  published  affords  evidence  only  of  a  single  generation. 
It  has  been  surmised  that  the  species  agrees  with  others  of  its  kind  in 
passing  the  winter  in  the  adult  condition,  although  it  is  possible  also 
that  it  hibernates,  in  some  localities  at  least,  as  a  puparium.  Of  one 
thing  we  may  be  tolerably  certain,  that  only  a  single  generation  is 
developed  in  corn,  but  it  is  quite  probable  that  two  generations  might 
be  produced  in  beans  and  peas  owing  to  the  longer  period  in  which 
these  crops  are  kept  in  the  field,  and  the  second  and  third  plantings 
that  are  made  in  many  localities.  In  the  Gulf  States  the  dies  have 
been  reared  as  early  as  January  4.  and  the  rearing  notes  which  have 
been  cited  for  that  region  show  that  the  Hies  may  appear  through  the 
first  three  months  of  the  year.  The  fact  that  larvae  were  received  from 
Texas  in  tin1  middle  of  May  would  indicate  a  second  generation  in  the 
South,  the  progeny  of  the  flies  appearing  in  the  earlier  months.  Flies 
have  been  reared  also  in  or  from  different  localities  in  June,  July, 
August,  September,  and  December,  and  it  seems  probable  that  where 
weather  conditions  favor,  several  generations  are  normally  produced 
each  year,  although  there  must  he  a  period  in  midwinter  in  which 
breeding  ceases,  and  possibly  another  in  midsummer. 

Professor  Forbes  has  admitted  the  probability  that  later  generations 
might  appear  than  that  observed  by  him  on  corn,  the  adults  from 
which  emerged  from  dune  11  to  August  T.  In  the  Northern  States 
it  is  probable  that  we  have  at  least  two  generations,  the  first  injurious 
in  May  and  dune  to  such  seedlings  as  are  then  to  be  found,  and  the 
second  generation  feeding  upon  weeds  or  dead  or  dying  plants,  in 
excrement  and  in  refuse,  without  their  presence  being  manifested. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  learn  if  most  of  the  injuries  occasioned  by 
the  seed-corn  maggot  are  not  due  to  the  attraction  of  the  winged  fly 
for  oviposition  on  manure  used  in  the  field  or  to  the  decomposition  of 
a  portion  of  the  seeds  (something  which  must  always  happen)  or  to  the 
presence  of  other  decomposing  material,  due  to  natural  causes,  to 
fungus  attack,  or  to  infestation  by  primary  pests. 


92 


NATURAL   ENEMIES. 


The  seed-corn  maggot  undoubtedly  has  many  insect  enemies,  but 
none  appear  to  have  been  recorded. 

June  21, 1897,  we  received  from  Mr.  E.  F.  Bouchville,  Boligee,  Ala., 
a  large  number  of  flies  of  this  species  with  their  bodies  distended  by 
a  white  powdery  growth  caused  by  the  presence  of  a  fungus  disease, 
identified  at  the  time  as  Em/pusa  americana.  It  belongs  to  the  same 
genus  as  the  house-fly  parasite  (Emjnisa  muscx). 

Frequently  the  latter  disease  causes  much  mortality  among  flies  living 
out-of-doors,  as  happened  during  the  summer  of  1891.  (See  note  by 
C.  L.  Marlatt  in  Insect  Life,  Vol.  IV,  pp.  152,  153.) 

REMEDIES. 

Owing  to  the  great  difficulty  of  destroying  subterranean  larva?  and 
the  cost  of  the  chemicals  that  are  used  for  this  purpose,  such  as  bisul- 
phid  of  carbon,  we  have  to  depend  more  upon  methods  of  prevention. 
One  of  the  best  means  of  deterring  the  parent  flies  from  depositing 
their  eggs  consists  in  sand  soaked  in  kerosene — one  cupful  to  a  bucket 
of  dry  sand — placed  at  the  base  of  the  plants,  along  the  rows.  This  also 
kills  young  larvae  that  might  attempt  to  work  through  the  mixture. 

Fertilizers,  preferably  kainit  and  nitrate  of  soda,  are  also  useful  as 
deterrents,  particularly  when  employed  just  before  or  after  a  shower 
has  thoroughly  wet  the  ground.  They  should  be  applied  as  nearly  as 
possible  to  the  roots,  and  the  earth  should  be  turned  away  from  the 
plants  for  this  purpose.  This  remedy  has  the  advantage  of  acting  as 
a  fertilizer  as  well  as  a  preventive  of  insect  attack. 

As  soon  as  plants  show  signs  of  wilting,  and  this  maggot  is  known 
to  be  present  in  the  held,  the  injured  plants  should  be  promptly  pulled 
and  destroyed. 

The  above  methods  of  control  have  been  used  with  success  against 
onion  maggots  and  similar  root-feeding  species. 

THE  BEAN  LEAF-ROLLER. 

( Eudamus  proleus  Linn. ) 

In  October,  1901,  Mr.  William  R.  Polk,  Orlando,  Fla.,  complained  of 
what  he  described  as  a  green  leaf-roller  on  snap  beans.  No  specimens 
were  received  at  the  time,  but  the  adult  insect  was  identified  by  our 
correspondent  as  being  the  indirect  cause  of  the  injury.  At  the  time 
of  writing  he  stated  that  it  had  been  busy  laying  eggs,  and  the  leaf- 
roller  or  leaf-curler  worm,  as  it  was  also  called,  was  "destroying  much 
of  his  beans  by  cutting  and  curling  the  leaves."  November  12  our 
correspondent  sent  specimens  of  the  butterfly  as  well  as  larvae  in  differ- 
ent stages  of  growth. 


93 

The  same  month  we  received  by  request  from  Prof.  H.  A.  Gossard, 
Lake  City,  Fla.,  specimens  of  the  larva  of  this  species  found  on  cowpea, 
with  the  accompanying  information  that  two  hours'  search  in  a  patch 
of  velvet  beans  failed  to  find  any  of  these  caterpillars.  Mr.  Gossard 
was  nut  certain  that  velvet  beans  were  exempt  from  attack,  but  it  is 
evident  that  they  must  be  comparatively  so. 


descriptive. 


The  butterfly. — This  leaf -roller  is  the  larva  of  a  butterfly  called  the 
" swallow-tailed  skipper,"  and  is  quite  unique  among  garden  pests. 
The  butterfly  is  illustrated  in  figure  20,  a.  It  has  a  robust  body  and 
wide  head,  and  the  antenna'  are  curved  at  the  tips  as  figured.     Its  color 


Fig.  20.— EudamtiS protetts:  a,  butterfly:  h,  larva,  dorsal  view:  c,  larva,  lateral  view:  <l,  chrysalis 
in  rolled-up  leaf— somewhat  enlarged  i original). 

is  velvety  brown,  with  long  metallic-green  hairs  on  the  thorax  and 
contiguous  parts  of  both  pairs  of  wings.  The  fore- wings  are  orna- 
mented with  white  spots  and  the  hind- wings  are  bordered  with  a  zigzag- 
line  of  white;  the  latter  terminate  in  two  long,  dark-brown  tails.  The 
wing  expanse  is  from  If  to  2  inches.  The  lower  surface  is  much  paler 
brown,  with  broad  bands  of  darker  brown. 

The  egg  is  nearly  spherical,  depressed  below,  and  marked  with  ridges, 
converging  at  the  polls.  The  eggs  when  first  deposited  are  glistening 
white,  but  soon  become  yellow.  They  measure  nearly  a  millimeter  in 
diameter  and  about  0.8mm  in  length. 

The  larva  is  of  the  peculiar  appearance  shown  in  the  illustration 
(&,  c),  nearly  cylindrical,  with  narrow  neck  and  prominent  head.     The 


94 

ground  color  is  yellow,  dotted  with  black,  and  the  surface  is  covered 
with  numerous  short,  pale  hairs.  The  head  is  black,  with  orange 
spots  near  the  mandibles,  and  the  apical  third  is  reddish.  The  thoracic 
plate  is  also  black.     It  measures,  when  full  grown,  about  1^  inches. 

The  pupa  (fig.  20.  d)  is  shining  brown,  the  eyes  brownish-black. 
Two  or  three  days  after  being  formed  the  pupa  becomes  covered  with 
a  peculiar  white  nocculent  coating.  Its  length  is  about  seven-eighths 
of  an  inch. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

This  species  is  tropical,  and  apparently  injurious  only  in  Florida, 
although  it  is  recorded  to  occur  in  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  south- 
ern Texas.  Along  the  Atlantic  seaboard  it  sometimes  extends,  prob- 
ably only  by  flight  of  the  adults,  to  a  considerable  distance  north, 
individuals  having  been  captured  in  New  York  City  and  about  New 
Haven,  Conn.  It  is  probably  not  possible  for  the  insect  to  breed  in 
the  Northern  localities.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  found  very  far 
inland. 

As  to  the  foreign  distribution  of  this  species  Scudder  has  not  indi- 
cated special  localities  with  the  exception  of  Mexico.  Through  the 
kindness  of  Dr.  Dyar  the  following  localities,  based  mainly  upon 
material  in  the  National  Museum,  may  be  added:  Cuba.  Jamaica, 
Trinidad,  Guatemala.  Venezuela,  Buenos  Ayres,  Argentina,  and 
Paraguay. 

GENERAL    REMARKS    ON    BIBLIOGRAPHY    AND    HABITS. 

For  many  years  this  caterpillar,  known  as  the  bean  leaf-roller  or 
" roller  worm"  {Eudamus jprotem  Linn.),  has  been  recognized  as  an 
enemy  to  leguminous  and  some  other  crops  in  the  Gulf  States.  Injury 
is  usually  confined  to  beans  and  to  cultivated  beggar  weed  (Desmod* ' mn 
tortuosum);  but  according  to  Prof.  J.  H.  Comstock.  who  gave  an  account 
of  this  insect  in  1880  (Annual  Report  LI.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  for  1880,  p.  269), 
cabbage  and  turnip  may  also  be  affected.  The  article  cited  has  long 
been  out  of  print,  and  as  the  species  has  not  received  any  attention, 
or  been  figured  in  airy  later  publication  of  this  Department,  the 
opportunity  is  taken  to  present  illustrations  of  the  insect  in  all  its 
stages,  together  with  such  brief  descriptions  as  are  necessaiw  for 
identification,  to  which  is  added  a  summary  of  the  life  habits.  For 
the  benefit  of  anyone  who  desires  to  go  more  deeply  into  the  subject, 
it  might  be  added  that  an  extensive  account  of  this  species,  with  illus- 
trations and  bibliography  up  to  1880,  may  be  found  in  Volume  II  of 
Dr.  S.  H.  Scudder's  Butterflies  of  the  Eastern  United  States  and 
Canada,  pp.  1386-1393.  A  more  recent  account  has  been  given  by 
Mr.  A.  L.  Quaintance  (Bui.  45,  Fla.  Agr.  Expt.  Sta.,  189S,  pp.  55-60). 


95 


NOTES    ON    DIVISIONAL    RECORDS. 


Our  Divisional  records  of  injury  by  this  species,  including  the 
reported  damage  by  Professor  Comstoek,  comprise  the  following: 

February  5,  1880,  at  Rock  Ledge  (Brevard  County)  and  Enterprise, 
Fla..  it  was  destructive  to  beans,  turnip,  cabbage,  etc.  The  larva 
was  generally  known  by  gardeners  as  the  roller  worm.  February  21 
Larvae  were  received  which  were  found  feeding  upon  the  cowpea 
growing  wild  along  the  banks  of  the  St.  John's  River  at  De  Land 
Landing.  Fla.  Noveml  er  4.  1881,  larva1  were  received  from  Mr.  J.  C. 
Neal,  Archer.  Fla..  where  they  were  destructive  to  Desmodimn  {Mei- 
hom'ni)  canes&  m.  December  2.  185)5.  we  received  from  Mr.  C.  K.  Bab- 
bitt. Lakeville,  Fla..  larvae  found  feeding  on  bean  and  cowpea. 

An  individual  of  this  species  kept  at  Washington  in  conlinement  in 
a  moderately  heated  room  (60  to  70c  F.)  transformed  to  pupa  October 
30,  and  it  was  noticed  that  the  pruinosity  appeared  the  next  day. 
increasing  in  intensity  for  two  or  three  days.  The  butterfly  matured 
December  15.  tin1  individual  having  passed  six  weeks  in  the  pupal 
condition.     In  its  exit  from  the  chrysalis  it  left  the  skin  nearly  intact. 

HABITS    AM)    LIFE    HISTORY. 

A  few  plants  other  than  those  mentioned  serve  as  food  for  the  larva; 
these  include  different  species  of  Wistaria  and  Clitoria.  Frequently 
Larvae  are  so  abundant  as  to  nearly  destroy  otherwise  promising  fields 
of  beans. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Mr.  Quaintance  (1.  c.)  the  first 
generation  appears  in  early  spring,  and  successive  generations  continue 
until  cool  weather.  In  the  extreme  south  of  Florida,  however,  devel- 
opment may  be  nearly  continuous  throughout  the  year,  as  larvae  have 
been  noticed  there  during  the  last  of  December  and  in  January.  In 
the  heat  of  summer  the  life  cycle  is  short,  requiring,  in  some  cases, 
only  twenty -four  days  from  the  deposition  of  the  eggs  until  the  emer- 
gence of  the  adult,  The  eggs  may  hatch  in  four  days,  the  larva?  go 
through  their  live  molts,  and  in  two  weeks  from  the  time  of  hatching 
have  been  noted  to  enter  the  pupal  state,  the  latter  stage  requiring  a 
period  of  six  days.  In  colder  weather  in  October  and  November  the 
life  cycle  may  require  as  long  as  37  days.  It  is  probable  that  the 
species  hibernates  as  pupa1. 

Eggs  are  deposited  on  the  lower  surface  of  leaflets  of  bean  in  groups 
of  from  one  to  six.  After  feeding  a  short  time  the  larva  prepares  a 
retreat  by  folding  over  a  flap  of  a  leaf.  From  this  shelter  the  larva? 
crawl  out  sometimes  6  or  7  inches,  and  feed  upon  the  surrounding 
foliage.  This  species  does  not  differ  from  other  butterflies  in  being 
diurnal  in  habit,  larva?  and  adults  moving  about  freely  at  all  times  of 
day. 


96 


REMEDIES. 

Paris  green  has  been  used  with  success  by  Mr.  Quaintance  in  the 
treatment  of  this  species  on  beans  in  Florida,  applied  at  the  rate  of 
a  pound  to  150  gallons  of  water,  which  is  sufficiently  strong  to  destroy 
the  larvae.  Quicklime  should  always  be  added,  in  the  preparation  of 
this  spray,  as  it  neutralizes  the  arsenious  acids  which  might  otherwise 
be  produced  when  rain  follows  the  spraying.  Equal  amounts  of  lime 
and  Paris  green  are  the  proportions.  Arsenate  of  lead  would  probably 
be  more  satisfactory,  because  not  apt  to  scald  the  foliage. 

THE   PEA  MOTH. 

(Semasio  nigricana  Steph.) 

In  New  Brunswick,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Ontario,  in  the  Dominion  of 
Canada,  where  pea-growing  is  an  important  industry,  there  is,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  pea  weevil  discussed  in  previous  pages,  a  seed-infesting 

insect  known  as  the  pea  moth,  the  larva 
of  which  develops  in  ripening  peas  in 
the  pods.  This  species  first  attracted 
attention  near  Toronto,  Ontario,  in  the 
year  1893,  and  since  that  time  yearly 
complaints  have  been  made  of  its 
ravages. 


description. 


Pig.  2L.—Semasia  nigricana  Steph.:  moth  The  moth  is  a  small  Tortricid.  with  a 

above,  larva  below— about  three  times  •  _.  £.     \     ~\£  i  rri 

natural  size  (original).  wmS   expanse    of   half   an    inch.     The 

fore-wings  are  dark  fuscous  or  dusky, 
tinged  with  darker  brown  and  mottled  with  white,  about  as  shown  in 
figure  21.  The  hind-wings  are  nearly  uniform,  dark  fuscous,  and  bear 
a  rather  long  fringe  with  an  inner  line. 

The  larva,  shown  also  in  figure  21,  is  whitish-yellow  with  pale  brown 
head  and  thoracic  shield,  the  latter  inconspicuous.  Its  length  when 
mature  is  about  the  same  as  the  wing  expanse  of  the  moth.  The 
tubercular  spots  are  also  inconspicuous,  and  the  hairs  are  short  and 
sparse. 

The  papa  does  not  appear  to  have  been  described. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

This  is  a  comparatively  new  importation  from  the  Old  World,  where 
it  has  been  known  for  many  years  as  an  enemy  of  the  pea.  It  does 
not  appear  to  affect  any  other  plant,  and  injuries  are  most  notable  on 
late  crops.  It  is  practically  unknown  in  the  United  States,  but  since 
it  is  un  imported  species,  there  are  the  best  of  reasons  to  believe  that 
it  will  in  time  invade  New  England,  New  York,  and  other  Northern 
States,  and  pea  growers  should  be  warned  against  it. 


97 


NOMENCLATURE. 


Considerable  confusion  might  be  caused  if  one  did  not  have  at  hand 
a  rather  full  literature  bearing  upon  the  classification  of  the  pea  moth. 
In  a  catalogue  of  Lepidoptera  issued  by  Staudinger  &  Wocke  in  1871, 
two  species  are  placed  in  the  genus  Grapholitha.  the  pea  moth  being 
represented  by  nebritana  Tr..  with  nigrica?ia  Steph.,  smdpisana  Gn. 
as  synonyms.  There  is  also  a  nigricana  H-S.  In  Meyrick's  hand- 
book of  British  Lepidoptera.  published  in  1895,  the  pea  moth  is  placed 
in  the  genus  Laspeyresia,  prqximana  Walk,  being  indicated 
synonym,  while  our  other  species  is  listed  as  Epiblema  nigricana  H-S. 
This  latter  is  stated  to  breed  in  the  buds  of  Pinus  picea.  It  is  shown 
herewith  for  comparison  with  the  true  pea  moth  (see  rig.  22). 

HISTORY    AND    HABITS. 

It  is  somewhat  singular,  considering  the  time  that  this  species  must 
have  been  present  in  America  in  order  to  be  destructive  as  early  as 
1893,  that  it  has  not  occasioned  losses  also  in  our  Northern  States. 
Even  as  early  a-  the  date  mentioned  it  was  stated  to  be  the  principal 
obstacle  encountered  in  the  cultivation  of  the 
pea  in  Canada,  the  attack  frequently  resulting 
in  destroying  the  usefulness  of  from  1<>  to  20 
per  cent  of  the  crop. 

The  full  life  history  of  this    species    has 

not  been  Studied.       It   i>  known  that  the  moths      fig.  22.— Epiblema  nigricana  H-S: 

fiv  about  Sometimes  in  large  numbers  around         moth,  about  three  times  natural 

size  (original  . 

pea  blossoms  a  short  tune  after  sunset.      Ihe 

females  lay  from  1  to  3  eggs  on  very  young  pods  or  ovaries.  The 
caterpillar,  according  to  observations  in  Europe,  is  hatched  in  four- 
teen days,  and  goes  into  the  pod  and  attacks  the  seed,  the  opening- 
made  in  the  margin  of  the  pod  closing  afterwards.  Pods  thus  affected 
usually  ripen  early.  When  the  pod  opens  the  mature  caterpillar 
creeps  out  and  enters  the  earth,  there  to  spin  a  cocoon-like  covering 
formed  of  silken  threads.  Authorities  differ  as  to  the  state  of  hiber- 
nation. Miss  Ormerod  (Manual  of  Injurious  Insects,  p.  163)  states 
that  the  larva  winters  over,  and  in  spring  turns  to  a  chrysalis,  the 
moth  appearing  in  June,  while  Dr.  J.  Ritzema  Bos.  in  his  work  on 
Agricultural  Zoology  (London.  1894),  says  that  "the  pupa1  live  through 
the  winter.'*  The  peas  attacked  are  always  covered  while  in  the  pod 
with  the  cross-grained  excrement  of  the  caterpillars,  and  frequently 
two  or  three  are  joined  together  by  web  libers. 

Recently  it  has  been  ascertained  that  the  pea  moth  larva  does  not 
injure  to  any  extent  the  earliest  and  latest  varieties  of  peas. 
23987— No.  33—02 7 


98 


REMEDIES. 


What  has  just  been  said  indicates  the  value  of  planting  the  earliest 
and  the  latest  varieties  of  peas,  and  this  will  probably  hold  as  a  good 
remedy  in  many  localities  where  the  species  occurs  injuriously.  Mr. 
W.  T.  Macoun  has  named  Alaska,  American  Wonder,  Gregory's  Sur- 
prise, Gradus.  Nott's  Excelsior,  and  McLean's  Little  Gem  as  among 
the  best  early  varieties.  The  first  three  mature  as  early  as  June  17, 
before  the  appearance  of  the  moths.  Crops  grown  for  seed  are  more 
difficult  to  protect. 

It  has  already  been  advised  that  clean  culture  would  be  found  a 
valuable  means  of  riddance  of  this  insect,  and  if  during  the  picking 
the  plants  are  found  to  have  been  infested,  as  soon  as  the  crop  is  off 
the  remnants  should  be  gathered  and  burned. 

Early  fall  plowing  has  also  been  recommended,  but  it  does  not  seem 
that  this  is  necessary  if  the  fields  are  burned  over  promptly.  In  Dr. 
Fletcher's  report  for  1900  (1901,  p.  214),  the  results  of  some  experi- 
ments that  were  made  in  New  Brunswick  are  given.  They  consist 
in  the  use  of  a  spray  of  Paris  green.  1  pound  to  100  gallons,  with  4 
pounds  whale-oil  soap  added,  in  order  that  the  mixture  shall  adhere 
to  the  waxy  pod  of  the  pea.  The  results  were  so  promising  as  to  show 
them  of  importance.  Three  sprayings  are  suggested;  the  first  to  be 
applied  when  the  blossoms  begin  to  fall,  the  second  a  week  later,  and 
the  third  ten  days  later  than  that. 

THE  BEAN  CUTWORM. 

(Ogdoconta  dnereola  Guen. ) 

A  caterpillar  which  has  been  called  the  bean  cutworm  does  injury 
to  the  foliage  and  pods  of  beans,  at  times  stripping  the  vines  bare. 
The  species  has  long  been  known  to  collectors  of  Lepidoptera,  but 
although  widely  distributed  little  has  been  published  concerning  its 
habits,  although  all  of  its  stages  except  the  egg  have  been  described. 
It  appears  to  be  recorded  as  doing  injury  only  in  the  States  of  Florida 
and  Mississippi. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

This  species  belongs  to  the  family  Noctuidse,  or  owlet  moths,  which 
includes  many  cutworms,  but  it  is  not  related  to  any  of  the  true  cut- 
worms, and  has  never  been  observed,  so  far  as  the  writer  knows,  to 
be  nocturnal  or  to  cut  tender  plants.  Hence  it  is  probable  that  it  is 
not  a  cutworm  at  all  and  the  above  name  is  a  misnomer.  It  is  more 
closely  related  to  the  cabbage  looper  and  similar  forms. 

The  moth  is  a  tolerably  well-marked  species,  having  a  wing  expanse 
of  a  little  over  an  inch,  the  fore-wings  being  light  brown  and  marked 
with  a  transverse  paler  band  on  the  outer  third.  The  reniform  mark 
is  distinct,  as  are  other  similar  markings  between  that  spot  and  the 


99 


thorax.  The  pattern  is  about  as  shown  in  fig.  23,  a.  The  hind-wings 
are  nearly  uniform  gray,  with  the  veins  showing  plainly  and  the  base 
of  the  cilia  also  well  defined.  The  under  surface  is  nearly  uniform 
grayish-brown,  like  the  hind-wings,  but  with  a  more  satiny  luster. 

The  larva  (h)  when  full  grown  resembles  rather  strongly  a  small  cab- 
bage looper  (Ftu&ia  Irrassicae),  and  when  disturbed  has  the  same  habit 
of  looping  like  a  geometer.  It  is  pale  green  with  three  moderately 
distinct  white  stripes — median,  lateral,  and  one  midway  between  these 
two.     The  length  when  full  grown  is  about  an  inch  or  a  little  over. 

The  pupa  is  shining,  rather 
pale  brown,  and  strongly  and 
deeply  punctured  on  the  dorsal 
surface.  It  measures  about 
four-tenths  of  an  inch. 


DISTRIBUTION 


This  Xoetuid  is  generally  dis- 
tributed over  the  United  States 
east  of  the  Rocky  Mountain 
region,  from  Canada  and  Min- 
nesota southward  to  the  Gulf 
States  and  the  West  Indies.  It 
is  recorded  or  is  known  from 

New  York.  Delaware,  Virginia.  District  of  Columbia 
sissippi.  Texas.  Kansas,  Nebraska,  and  Illinois. 

Professor  Snow  has  reported  it  common  in  Kansas.  In  Florida, 
according  to  Mr.  Ashmead,  it  is  rare,  and  from  what  can  be  learned 
it  seems  probable  that  with  the  exception  of  a  few  States,  like  Mis- 
sissippi and  Kansas,  where  it  has  been  found  abundant,  it  is  not 
particularly  common. 


Fig.  23. — Ogdoconta  cinereola:  a,  moth;  b,  larva; 
e,  abdominal  segments  of  larva:  d,  pupa— all  en- 
larged (original). 


Florida.  Mis- 


HISTORY    AND    LITERATURE. 

Until  quite  recently  this  species  was  known  to  collectors  and  in  lit- 
erature as  Telesilla  cinereola.  It  was  first  described  by  Guenee  in  1852 
(Spec.  Gen.  Noct.,  Vol.  II,  p.  316)  under  the  genus  Placodes.  In  1880 
Mr.  D.  W.  Coquillett  published  a  description  of  the  larva  observed  at 
Woodstock,  111.,  with  the  remark  that  larvae  were  found  in  a  wheat 
field  from  June  15  to  July  20.  but  that  the  food  plant  was  unknown. 
Transformations  were  observed  to  be  made  under  ground.  (So.  Amer. 
Ent.„  Vol.  I,  p.  52.)  The  following  year  Mr.  Coquillett  again 
described  this  larva  (10th  Kept.  St.  Ent.  111.,  1881,  p,  ISO),  adding  the 
ragweed  (Ambrosia  artemi  size  folia)  as  a  larval  food  plant.  In  1887 
Mr.  W.  H.  Ashmead  made  a  more  detailed  description  of  the  larva 
and  a  brief  one  of  the  pupa,  adding  that  the  larvae  feed  on  the  leaves 


100 

and  pods  of  bean,  sometimes  stripping-  the  vines  bare.  (Bui.  11,  Div. 
Ent,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agr.,  pp.  21,  22.)  In  1890  a  brief  note  by  Mr. 
G.  H.  Kent,  Roxie,  Miss.,  was  published  in  Insect  Life  (Vol.  II,  p. 
283).  in  which  the  statement  was  made  that  this  larva  was  feeding 
on  bean  pods,  doing  considerable  damage  to  the  crop. 

UNPUBLISHED    DIVISIONAL    RECORDS. 

October  7,  1883,  Mr.  Albert  Koebele,  then  of  this  office,  found  in 
Virginia,  near  the  District  of  Columbia,  several  larva?  feeding  on 
cocklebur  [Xanthium  strwnariuiri).  They  were  on  the  under  sides  of 
the  leaves,  and  when  at  rest  were  stretched  generally  on  the  midrib 
and  some  of  the  larger  ones  on  the  stems  of  the  leaves.  November  7 
oblong  cocoons  were  found  in  the  earth,  of  which  they  were  form  2d. 
The  moths  from  this  lot  issued  in  confinement  June  3  of  the  follow- 
ing }Tear.  September  3,  1885,  Mr.  Th.  Pergande  found  larvae  in  the 
District  of  Columbia  feeding  on  sunflower  (Helianthus).  Moths  from 
this  lot  issued  in  confinement  the  following  year.  May  10,  11,  and  13. 
It  does  not  seem  probable  that  this  species  is  limited  to  the  bean 
among  cultivated  plants  for  food.  On  the  contrary,  it  may  now  be,  or 
may  develop  into,  a  somewhat  general  feeder,  as  it  has  been  shown  that 
it  breeds  normally  upon  composite  plants,  such  as  ragweed,  cocklebur, 
and  sunflower. 

No  parasitic  or  predaceous  enemies  appear  to  have  been  recorded. 

REMEDIES. 

An  arsenical  spray,  preferably  of  arsenate  of  lead,  would  kill  this 
insect  when  it  occurs  in  numbers  on  beans,  but  care  should  be  used 
when  it  attacks  the  pods,  if  these  are  soon  to  be  used  for  food,  to 
guard  against  possible  poisoning  of  human  beings.  The  destruction 
of  the  insect  upon  its  wild  food  plants,  such  as  pigweed  and  cocklebur, 
is  also  advisable,  and  it  would  be  well  to  keep  these  plants  down  in 
regions  where  the  bean  cutworm  has  once  been  injurious. 

NOTES  ON  INSECTS  AFFECTING  BEANS  AND  PEAS. 

Under  the  above  title  the  writer  has  brought  together  certain  short 
notes  on  different  species  of  insects  that  have  either  been  treated  in  a 
popular  or  general  manner  in  earlier  publications,  or  that  have  not  }Tet 
been  made  the  subject  of  special  study  during  recent  years.  All  that 
will  be  mentioned  have  come  under  observations  through  their  occur- 
rence on  beans,  peas,  cowpea,  and  related  legumes,  and  have  been 
actually  detected  feeding  upon  one  or  more  of  these  plants.  Certain 
of  the  data  that  have  been  acquired  concerning  this  class  of  insects  have 
been  made  public  in  an  article  which  took  the  form  of  condensed  and 
popularized  accounts  of  the  more  common  and  injurious  forms.     This 


101 


was  published  in  the  Yearbook  of  this  Department  for  1898  (pp.  233- 
260),  and  is  also  issued  in  popular  form.  Other  articles  and  notes 
have  appeared  in  Bulletins  8,  9.  19.  and  23  of  the  present  series,  or  are 
included  in  previous  pages  of  the  present  bulletin.  The  notes  which 
follow  have  been  made  since  the  publication  of  certain  of  the  articles 
and  notes  referred  to.  or  were  necessarily  excluded  for  lack  of  space 
or  as  inappropriate  to  a  popular  consideration  of  the  subject.  The 
facts  at  hand  are  not  deemed  of  sufficient  importance  of  themselves  to 
justify  more  complete  treatment  at  the  present  time. 

The  Gray  Hair-streak  Butterfly  {Uranotes  [Thecla]  melimisHbn.).— 
Among  other  garden  insects  observed  by  Mr.  A.  X.  Caudell  upon  the 
occasion  of  his  collecting  trip  in  Colorado  during  the  summer  of  1901 
was  the  caterpillar  of  this  pretty  butterfly,  feeding  on  the  pods  of 
Windsor  bean,  in  the  gar- 
den of  Mr.  E.  J.  Oslar,  at 
Denver.  Normally  they 
live  in  that  region  on  As- 
tragalv.8  mollissimus  Torr., 
a  leguminous  and.  it  might 
be  added,  pestiferous  plant, 
growing  on  prairie  land  and 
commonly  known  as  ••loco  y 

weed." 

During  the  last  four 
years  this  specie-  has  been 
under  observation  as  an 
enemy  of  beans.  In  fact, 
the  bean,  although  not  perhaps  a  special  food  plant,  appears  to  be 
attacked  every  year  by  this  insect,  although  injury  is  not  as  a  rule 
severe. 

In  1897  Prof.  W.  G.  Johnson  observed  it  on  bean  in  Maryland  (Bui. 
9,  n.  s.,  Div.  Ent.,  p.  83). 

The  next  year  the  writer  observed  the  larva  on  hog  peanut  (Fal- 
cata  [Amphicarpaea]  monoiea)  and  tick  trefoil  (Meihomia  spp.).  The 
resemblance  of  the  larva  to  the  pods  of  the  last-mentioned  plant  is 
striking.  A  number  of  other  wild  food  plants  are  recorded,  including 
among  the  legumes,  bush-clover  (Lespedeza). 

July  8,  1899.  numerous  moths  were  noticed  by  the  writer  at  Cabin 
John,  Md.,  between  rows  of  Lima  beans,  late  in  the  afternoon,  hover- 
ing about  and  alighting  upon  the  blossoms.  Some  were  captured  for 
identification,  but  further  observations  were  not  made.  During  the 
same  month  and  year  larvae  were  observed  working  on  pea  pods  and 
devouring  the  peas  at  Carthagenia  and  Wooster.  Ohio,  and  in  the  silk 
of  corn  at  Clifford,  Ohio  (Webster,  30th  An.  Kept.  Ent.  Soc.  Ont., 
pp.  50,  57,  1900). 


Fig.  24. —  Uranotes  melinus:  a.  dorsal  view  of  butterfly;  b, 
butterfly,  with  wings  closed;  c,  larva  from  side:  d.  pupa: 
i ,  egg— all  somewhat  enlarged,  except  e,  greatly  enlarged 

(all  except  c  redrawn  from  Howard). 


102 

Attack  by  this  species  to  pole  Lima  beans  at  St.  Elmo,  Va.,  was 
reported  by  Mr.  Pratt,  August  27  and  later  in  1900.  It  seems  that 
even  a  single  boring  in  a  pod  of  beans  is  enough  to  insure  injury.  He 
estimated  that  about  25  per  cent  of  the  crop  of  that  vicinity  was 
damaged. 

An  illustrated  account  of  this  insect,  entitled  "The  gray  hair-streak 
butterfly  and  its  damage  to  beans"  was  published  in  Insect  Life  (Vol. 
VII,  pp.  354,  355). 

It  is  illustrated  in  its  various  stages  in  the  accompanying  figure  24. 

A  natural  enemy  of  this  insect  has  been  observed  in  a  small  ichneu- 
mon fly  A?wmalon  pseudargiole  How. 

This  species  seldom  does  very  severe  damage,  hence  little  precau- 
tion need  be  observed  in  the  treatment  of  it  early  in  the  season.  It 
would  be  well,  however,  to  destroy  all  affected  bean  pods,  that  the 
insect  may  not  develop  and  do  injury  in  after  years. 

The  Bean  Leaf-beetle  (Cerotoma  trifurcata  Forst.) — This  insect  has 
already  been  reported  by  Professor  Johnson  in  Bulletin  No.  20  (n.  s., 
p.  81)  as  having  been  very  destructive  in  1900  to  wax  and  Lima  beans 
throughout  the  trucking  area  of  Maryland. 

May  14,  of  the  same  year,  the  writer  found  this  species  at  work  on 
bean  at  Cabin  John,  Aid. .  doing,  it  would  seem,  the  greatest  damage 
ever  observed  in  the  East.  Not  a  single  leaf  had  escaped  its  ravages; 
all  were  pitted  full  of  large  holes  or  had  been  stripped  to  the  midrib. 

The  following  day  Air.  Henry  Olds,  of  this  Department,  reported 
this  insect  injuring  bean  at  Woodside,  Aid.,  and  Mr.  Pratt  noticed  the 
same  insect  at  work  on  beans  at  St.  Elmo,  Va. 

May  26,  Air.  B.  M.  Hampton  sent  specimens  from  Peacocks  Store, 
X.  C.  with  report  that  this  beetle  was  known  locally  as  the  ''terrapin 
bug"  (a  name  which  it  shares  with  Murgantia  histrionica),  and  that  it 
was  a  perfect  nuisance,  doing  much  injury  to  snap  beans  by  eating 
holes  in  the  leaves. 

A  second  visit  was  made  to  the  infested  garden  at  Cabin  John  June 
12,  a  month  after  infestation  was  first  noticed.  The  rows  of  beans 
that  had  been  first  planted  and  that  were  noticed  to  be  most  injured 
were  practically  ruined.  They  had  not  made  such  good  growth  as 
other  rows  planted  later,  and  many  of  the  leaves  had  dried  up  and 
fallen  off.  The  later  rows,  though  they  had  made  better  growth. 
looked,  as  an  observer  remarked,  "as  though  they  had  been  shot  full 
of  holes  from  a  shotgun.*" 

The  Lima-bean  Vine-borer  (Monoptilota  nvbUdla  Hulst.). — This  spe- 
cies, an  account  of  which  was  given  by  the  writer  on  pages  9-17  of 
Bulletin  No.  23,  n.  s..  made  its  appearance  the  past  year  on  Lima 
beans,  and  in  a  new  locality.  August  27,  1900,  Air.  Pratt  reported 
the  larvas  at  work  on  pole  Lima  beans  at  St.  Elmo.  Va.,  and  late 
in  September  found    that  the  same    species  was    working   on  bush 


103 

Lima  beans — something  that  it  was  not  observed  to  do  in  previous 
seasons. 

October  8,  he  made  examination  of  different  plants  growing  in  his 
own  garden  and  reported  that  at  least  50  per  cent  of  the  galls  examined 
showed  that  the  occupants  had  escaped.  From  observations  made  at 
this  time  he  concludes  that  this  vine  borer  is  capable  of  doing  severe 
damage,  the  part  of  the  stem  above  the  galls  seldom  producing  beans. 
and  in  some  cases  dying.  Injury,  however,  is  not  readily  apparent 
owing  to  the  fact  that  from  1  to  6  plants  often  grow  on  one  pole  and 
injured  portions  are  usually  concealed  by  the  numerous  leaves.  In 
one  instance  no  less  than  L7  galls  were  counted  on  a  single  plant,  while 
the  other  plants  in  the  same  hill  were  scarcely  affected.  In  another 
instance  galls  were  observed  at  the  roots  of  the  plants  on  a  level  with 
the  soil,  the  gallery  extending  an  inch  below  the  surface. 

At  Cabin  John.  Md..  where  this  species  occurred  in  1898  and  1899, 
it  reappeared,  but  in  much  diminished  number-. 

After  the  publication  of  the  writer's  article  previously  cited.  Dr. 
Hopkins's  note  entitled  "A  Lima  bean  borer"  was  remembered,  too 
late,  however,  for  insertion  in  the  bulletin  mentioned.  This  note 
appeared  in  Volume  VII  of  Insect  Life  (p.  14<>.)  As  the  publication 
mentioned  Is  not  available  to  everyone, his  note  may  be  repeated  here: 

September  s.  a  Lepidopteroua  larva  was  found  causing  considerable  damage  to  Lima- 

bean  vines  in  Wood  County,  W.  Va.  The  larva  was  about  one  inch  long,  the  body 
uniform  purple  above  and  light  blue  beneath.  It  occupied  about  two  inches  of  the 
vine,  causing  a  swelling  or  kind  of  gall,  in  this  respect  resembling  the  habits  of  the 
common  stalk  b<  urer  I  Gortyna  nitda).  When  more  than  one  larva  occurred  in  a  plant 
it  died  from  the  injury.     I  also  failed  to  rear  the  adult  of  this  insect. 

Dr.  Hopkins's  a-  well  as  the  writer  feels  little  hesitancy  in  stating 
that  this  is  the  same  species,  Monoptilota  nubilella  Hulst. 

A  new  natural  enemy  of  this  insect  was  observed  by  Mr.  Pratt  at 
St.  Elmo.  Va.,  the  larva  of  a  species  of  soldier  beetle,  either  Chau- 
liognathus  j»  nnsylvanieus  or  (  %,  marginatus.  This  larva  was  detected 
in  tin1  act  of  devouring  a  vine-borer  larva,  and  several  dead  larva1  of 
the  moth  and  of  the  soldier  beetle  were  found  in  the  galls. 

Diabrotica  atripennis  Say. — July  10,  1899,  the  adults  of  this  species 
were  observed  by  Mr.  Pratt  attacking-  the  blossoms  of  Lima  beans  at 
Travilah,  Md.  Specimens  brought  to  this  office  continued  feeding  on 
bean  blossom-  in  confinement.  This  is  the  first  observation  of  the 
food  habits  of  this  species  of  which  the  writer  has  knowledge.  The 
larval  habits  are  unknown,  but  larvae  doubtless  feed  about  the  roots 
of  some  wild  leguminous  plant  in  the  same  manner  as  Diabvotica  mttata 
feeds  upon  cucurbits  and  W-punctata  at  the  roots  of  cereals. 

The  Mexican  Bean  Weevil  ( Spennophaguspectoralis  Shp.).  —Under  date 
of  July  26,  1900,  Mr.  Enrique  R.  Margarit,  Habana,  Cuba,  transmitted 


104 

specimens  of  black  beans  infested  by  this  species,  present  in  all  stages 
at  the  time  of  receipt,  August  1.  Our  correspondent  stated  that  these 
beans  were  raised  in  Mexico,  in  hot  regions,  and  immediately  after 
harvest  were  taken  to  cold  regions,  where  the  seed  was  kept  for  a  long- 
time, sometimes  even  for  two  years,  but  as  a  result  of  being  in  Cuba 
even  ten  days  seed  commenced  to  show  evidences  of  attack  and  soon 
destruction  was  complete.  In  winter  this  seed  keeps  in  Cuba  about 
thirty  days.     The  same  happens  to  black  beans  harvested  in  Cuba. 

The  species  does  not  appear  to  have  been  previously  recorded  from 
the  West  Indies. 

From  the  material  obtained  and  kept  under  observation  it  is  now  pos- 
itive that  this  species  has  practically  the  same  life  habits  as  the  other 
pea  and  bean  weevils,  accounts  of  which  the  writer  has  given  in  the 
Yearbook  of  this  Department  for  181)8  (pp.  234-248). 

The  Pea  Weevil  (Bruchus  pisorumJAmi.). — So  far  as  known  to  the 
writer,  no  parasite  of  the  pea  weevil  has  been  recorded.  A  single 
species  of  the  family  Chalcididae,  however,  Bnichdbius  laticollis  Ashm. 
MSS..  was  reared  from  peas  infested  exclusively  by  this  weevil  and 
received  in  October.  1898,  from  Fayetteville,  Ark.  This  parasite  is 
much  more  abundant  on  other  species  of  Bruchus  which  affect  bean  and 
pea,  our  two  bean  weevils  and  the  cowpea  weevil. 

The  Boll  Worm,  or  Corn-ear  Worm  (HeUothis  armiger  Hbn.). — This 
species,  after  a  year  of  comparative  rarity  in  Virginia,  Maryland,  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  northward,  became  quite  numerous  during 
the  year  1900,  particularly  toward  the  close  of  the  season,  doing  con 
isderable  damage  to  late  corn  and  some  other  crops,  including  Lima 
bean,  the  seeds  of  which  it  devoured.  During  1899  also  we  received 
this  insect  with  reports  of  its  having  been  found  on  what  appear  to  be 
new  food  plants,  as  follows:  October  21,  1899,  the  larva  was  found 
boring  into  the  stems  of  peanut  by  Mr.  T.  I.  Todd,  Athens,  Ga. ;  June 
14,  1900,  Mr.  F.  S.  Earle,  Auburn,  Ala.,  reported  this  larva  to  be 
eating  into  and  destroying  seeds  in  the  pods  of  hairy  vetch  (Vicia  vil- 
losa);  October  15,  larvae  were  found  by  Mr.  F.  C.  Pratt  in  considerable 
numbers  in  an  experimental  plat  of  chick-pea  or  gram  ( Cicer  arietin  um) 
on  the  Potomac  flats  near  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 

It  may  be  well  to  mention  in  this  connection  an  extreme  instance  of 
injuiy  to  beans  reported  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Matheny,  Long  Beach,  Miss. 
May  20,  1899,  he  sent  larvae,  with  the  accompanying  statement  that 
they  destroyed  the  bean  crop  in  that  vicinity  nearly  every  year,  the 
damage  being  estimated  at  thousands  of  dollars.  In  response  to  inquiry 
our  correspondent  sent  additional  specimens  of  larvae,  together  with 
moths  and  bean  pods,  showing  the  work  of  this  species,  and  further 
stated  that  no  other  insect  was  concerned  in  this  injuiy,  and  that  the 
boll  worm  was  destroying  the  bean  crop  of  the  entire  Gulf  coast. 

The  Fall  WebwoYm(/ft/p/ta))t/^/  cunea  Dru.).— During  the  years  1899 


105 

and  1900  this  species  was  frequently  observed  on  beans,  and  in  one 
instance  destroyed  quite  a  number  of  vines  of  pea.  In  another  case  a 
larva  was  observed  eating  into  the  ripe  fruit  of  tomato  September  18. 

The  Garden  Flea-hopper  {Haltieus  uhleri  Giard).—  Prof.  F.  M.  Web 
ster  has  stated  that  he  obtained  newly  hatched  nymphs  in  the  Held 
May  8,  showing,  he  believes,  that  the  species  winters  over  in  the  egg, 
as  no  adults  were  to  be  found.  In  Entomological  News  for  April.  1900, 
the  same  gentleman  states  that  there  are  probably  not  less  than  five  gen- 
erations of  this  species  at  Wooster,  Ohio,  annually. 

In  May  and  June.  1900,  this  insect  was  observed  in  some  numbers 
on  beans  in  different  localities,  and  some  leaves  were  found  to  have  been 


Fio.  -Jo.— Halt ic us  uhleri:  a.  brachypterous  female;  b.  full-winged  female:  c,  male;  d.  head  of  male  in 
outline— a.  b,  c  much  enlarged,  d  more  enlarged  (author's  illustration  i. 


killed  by  its  attack-.  Beets  and  cabbage  were  also  affected,  but  injury 
was  less  noticeable  to  these  crops. 

In  1901  the  writer  noticed  severe  injury  to  ornamental  morning-glory 
in  the  city  of  Washington*. 

Acanthocerus  galeator  Fab. — This  plant-bug,  better  known  in  litera- 
ture and  in  collections  generally  as  Eutkoctha  galeator,  has  been  often 
seen  on  garden  beans  during  recent  years.  September  8,  1900,  Mr.  F. 
C.  Pratt  observed  an  adult  with  its  beak  sunk  in  the  stalk  of  a  bean 
plant,  so  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  this  host  plant,  although  injury  has 
as  yet  not  been  reported. 

So  little  is  definitely  known  of  the  true  food  habits  of  this  species  that 
it  may  be  well  to  mention  some  of  the  reports  concerning  it: 

It  first  came  under  observation  at  this  office  May  27.  1879,  when 
Mr.  Theodore  Pergande  observed  a  specimen  sucking  the  sap  from  the 
petiole  of  a  leaf  of  a  terminal  shoot  of  raspberry,  the  result  being  that 
the  petiole  became  black  and  the  leaflets  wilted. 

July  5,  1895,  Mr.  D.  B.  Story,  Darwin.  Ohio,  reported  that  this 
insect  did  much  damage  to  nursery  stock,  particularly  yearling  apple 
trees,  by  stinging  and  blighting  the  tender  tips. 


106 

June  8,  1899,  Mr.  Pergande  observed  one  of  these  bugs  sucking 
young  shoots  of  plum,  which  were  afterwards  observed  to  wilt  and 
turn  black  as  in  the  observation  made  on  raspberry;  and  during  Sep- 
tember, 1900,  he  obtained  a  number  of  ymphs  mostly  in  the  last  stage, 
attacking  common  ragweed  (Ambrosia  artemisimfolia),  this  latter 
being,  therefore,  undoubtedly  a  natural  food  plant. 

An  account  was  given  of  this  species  b}T  the  late  H.  G.  Hubbard  in 
"Insects  affecting  the  orange/' which  includes  a  figure  of  the  adult 
and  brief  description  of  the  eggs  and  the  young  nymphs.  He  states 
(p.  163),  "It  is  a  very  common  and  often  a  very  destructive  insect," 
presumably  to  orange  in  Florida. 

In  a  recently  published  account  of  this  species  h\  Messrs.  Forbes 
and  Hart  (Bui.  60,  Univ.  111.  Agric.  Ex.  Sta.,  p.  445)  some  additional 
notes  are  given,  it  being  stated  among  other  things  that  the  authors 
found  it  on  blackberry  and  raspberry,  and  on  forest  undergrowth  in 
Illinois.  It  is  stated  on  the  authority  of  Brunei*  to  occur  on  beets 
and  on  wild  cucumber. 

Alydus  eurinus  Say  and  A.  pilosulus  H.-S. — During  January,  1901, 
Mr.  F.  E.  Brooks,  French  Creek.  W.  Va..  wrote  of  an  insect  which  is 
described  as  somewhat  resembling  the  squash  bug.  and  which  he  stated 
was  injuring  his  Lima  beans  and  late  cowpeas. 

January  15.  he  sent  specimens  found  among  dead  bean  vines,  which 
there  was  no  trouble  in  identifying  as  the  above  species.  Specimens 
of  bean  pods  accompanied  this  letter,  and  both  pods  and  beans  plainly 
showed  punctures  of  a  sucking  insect,  the  beans  being  quite  disfigured 
by  the  numerous  discolorations  formed  about  the  punctured  spots. 

In  continuation  of  observations  conducted  in  1901,  Mr.  Brooks  also 
sent  additional  specimens  of  this  species  of  the  variety  ater  Dall.,  as 
also  of  Alydus  pilosulus  H.-S.,  with  information  that  they  appeared  to 
be  responsible  for  the  diseased  condition  of  cowpea.  October  28, 
1901.  Mr.  Brooks  wrote  that  these  insects  occurred  again  in  consider- 
able numbers,  but  the  early  frost  killed  the  vines  of  cowpea,  as  also 
the  pods,  and  rendered  it  impossible  to  determine  to  what  extent  the 
insects  were  responsible  for  the  spread  of  the  disease  in  the  beans  and 
cowpeas.  Our  correspondent,  however,  was  still  of  the  opinion  that 
under  favorable  conditions  these  insects  transmitted  the  disease  from 
one  pod  to  another  and  that  they  may  prove  at  times  a  serious  pest. 
He  had  observed  them  at  the  date  of  writing  collected  upon  the  dry 
pods  of  cowpea.  They  thrust  their  beaks  quite  easily  through  the 
dry  pods  and  appeared  to  be  feeding  on  something  within  for  one  or 
two  minutes,  when  they  removed  their  beaks  and  inserted  them  in 
another  place.  He  could  not  determine  whether  the  puncture  extended 
to  the  seeds  within  or  not.  Our  correspondent's  opinion  is  of  value, 
as  he  was  perfectly  able  to  distinguish  thextwo  species  of  Alydus,  notic- 


107 


ingalso  that  copulation  took  place  only  with  the  insect's  own  kind  and 
not  with  the  associated  species.  The  two  species  occurred  in  about 
equal  numbers,  their  habits  being  the  same. 

Leaf-hoppers  (Tettigoniidae  and  Jassidae). — Various  species  of  leaf- 
hoppers  of  the  families  Tettignoiidae  and  Jassidae  were  under  observa- 
tion during  the  past  three  years  on  experimental  plats  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  on  cowpea  and  beans.  They  occurred  in  all 
stages,  feeding  on  the  under  surface  of  the  leaves,  but  were  not  pres- 
ent in  realty  injurious  numbers. 

The  crafty  leaf -hopper  (Diedrocephala  versuta  Say)  was  the  most 
conspicuous  species,  on  account  of  its  larger  size  and  brighter  colors, 
although  numerically  less  than  the  smaller  Empoascas,  with  which  it 


d 

Fig.  26. — Diedrocephala  versuta:  a,  male  with  expanded  wings:  b.  same  with  wings  folded:  c.  young 
nymph:  d,  last  stage  of  nymph — all  much  enlarged  (original). 

w&a  sometimes  associated.  Adults  were  present  from  June  to  Sep- 
tember. This,  like  many  other  leaf-hoppers,  probably  lives  largely 
on  grasses,  but  cowpea  is  also  greatly  relished.  Without  doubt  it 
agrees  rather  closely  in  habits  with  the  better-known  red-banded  leaf- 
hopper  (Diedrocephala  coccinea  Forst.),  to  which  it  is  closely  related. 
The  latter,  according  to  Messrs.  Osborn  and  Ball,  is  double-brooded 
(Bui.  34,  Iowa  Agr.  Coll.  Exp.  Sta.,  p.  615,  1897).  From  the  latter, 
versuta  differs  chiefly  in  its  smaller  size  and  by  having  the  vertex  with 
the  black  markings  nearly  parallel  with  the  anterior  margin,  which 
is  usually  black-lined.  There  is  often  a  pair  of  approximate  median 
lines  on  the  disk.  D.  coccinea  is  reddish,  with  green  stripes  on  the 
pronotum  and  elytra,  while  in  versuta  yellowish  or  greenish  predomi- 
nates, with  occasionally  reddish  on  the  upper  surface.     A  mature  male 


108 

of  this  leaf -hopper  is  shown  in  figure  26  at  a,  with  wings  spread  as  in 
life,  while  at  b  the  same  is  illustrated  with  wings  folded  in  the  natural 
position  which  it  assumes  when  feeding  or  at  rest.  From  the  nature 
of  its  markings  this  is  a  rather  attractive  species,  and  the  yellow  of 
the  common  form  found  in  the  District  of  Columbia  is  variegated 
above  with  green  and  bluish,  forming  stripes  on  the  wing-covers,  as 
shown.  A  young  nymph  or  larva  is  illustrated  at  c.  and  d  shows  the 
nymph  in  the  last  or  pupal  stage  just  previous  to  molting. 

This  species,  as  defined  by  Prof.  E.  D.  Ball  (Proc.  Iowa  Acad.  Sci., 
Vol.  VIII,  1901,  p.  30;  Ser.  5.  No.  21,  Ohio  St.  Univ.  Bui.,  p.  31).  is 
evidently  more  abundant  in  the  South.  Its  name  does  not  appear  in 
any  lists  of  New  York  or  New  Jersey  species  at  present  available, 
although  it  has  been  recorded  from  Ohio  and  Illinois.  It  extends  from 
central  Mexico  and  the  Gulf  States  northward  to  Maryland.  Virginia, 
and  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  westward  as  far  as  Illinois.  What 
are  considered  varieties  of  this  species,  however,  have  been  described 
from  South  America  and  the  Pacific  coast. 

As  a  result  of  the  investigations  of  Messrs.  Osborn  and  Ball  (1.  c), 
some  generalizations  as  to  the  life  habits  of  these  two  families  of  leaf- 
hoppers  have  been  drawn.  The  species  under  observation  in  Iowa 
showed,  as  a  rule,  a  decided  limitation  as  to  the  food  plant,  holding 
to  one  species  while  in  the  immature  stage,  but  feeding  more  indis- 
criminately in  more  mature  stages,  in  which  respect  these  insects 
resemble  larger  forms  of  Hemiptera.  such  as  the  harlequin  cabbage 
bug  and  squash  bugs,  which  subsist  normally  on  single  orders  of 
plants.  The  species  observed  deposit  eggs  upon  the  stems  under 
the  leaf  sheaths  or  in  the  leaves  of  the  food  plant.  There  is  a  wide 
divergence  as  regards  life  histories,  some  species  producing  one  gen- 
eration; the  majority  of  the  grass-feeding  forms,  which  includes  a 
very  considerable  percentage  of  these  insects,  two  generations:  and 
some  having  three  in  a  season-.  Save  in  the  case  of  hibernation  in  the 
adult  stage,  the  life  of  a  generation  of  adults  does  not  exceed  two 
months,  while  that  of  the  individual  rarely  exceeds  one.  Males  appear 
a  week  or  ten  days  earlier  than  the  females,  and  their  disappearance 
is  much  earlier.  There  is  so  little  overlapping  of  generation  that  one  of 
adults  disappears  before  the  nymphs  of  the  next  have  matured,  so  that 
individuals  observed  at  any  time  ma}'  be  referred  to  the  generation 
to  which  they  belong.  The  eggs  for  each  generation  are  deposited 
within  a  limited  time,  so  that  a  period  may  be  defined  when  all  eggs 
of  a  given  species  will  have  been  laid,  and  during  which  measures  for 
their  destruction  may  be  applied. 

As  a  further  result  of  these  studies  of  the  life  economy  of  leaf- 
hoppers.  it  was  ascertained  that  simply  cutting  the  grass  (and  perhaps 
other  plants  affected)  and  leaving  it  in  the  field  would  prevent  hatch- 
ing, as  in  no  case  did  eggs  observed  hatch  from  stems  that  had  been 


109 

cut  while  green.  The  drying  of  the  stems  results  in  the  crushing  and 
distortion  of  the  eggs,  due  to  the  shrinkage  of  the  plant  tissues  and  to 
the  curling  of  the  edges  of  the  sheaths. 

Stictocephala  festina  Say. — Another  leaf-hopper,  was  sent  in  abund- 
ance to  this  office  by  Mr.  Thos.  I.  Todd,  Athens,  Ga..  October  2.  1899, 
with  the  accompanying  statement  that  they  were  affecting  Lima  beans, 
and  that  they  were  not  noticed  before  August  of  that  year.  Our  corre- 
spondent stated  that  this  insect  caused  the  vines  which  it  infested  to 
shed  their  leaves,  after  which  the  stems  dried,  the  vine  finally  being 
killed.     The  method  of  injury  by  suction  was  noticed. 

The  species  is  one  of  wide  distribution,  but  little  appears  to  have 
been  published  concerning  it's  habits.  There  is  at  least  one  record  of 
injury,  however,  that  published  in  Insect  Life  in  1888  (p.  50),  which 
has  reference  to  damage  to  young  tomato  plants  at  Wilmington  Island, 
Ga.,  in  April  and  May,  1887.  Injury  is  described  as  being  due  to  the 
insect  "ringing "'  the  stem,  causing  the  plant  to  wilt.  The  recorded 
distribution  includes  territory  from  Connecticut  in  the  North  and  East 
to  Florida  and  Texas  in  the  South,  and  in  the  West  to  Colorado  and 
Montana. 

The  Bean  Aphis  (Aphis  rum  ids  Linn.) — This  well-known  species, 
which  is  common  to  this  country  and  to  Europe,  having  evidently  been 
introduced  from  the  Old  World,  has  been  noticed  during  the  past  four 
years  in  most  patches  or  fields  of  bean  and  cowpea  examined,  being 
especially  abundant  upon  the  latter  crop  plant. 

During  L899  and  L900  it  was  present  on  Lima  bean,  in  sufficient 
numbers  to  attract  rather  general  notice  particularly  at  Marshall  Hall 
and  Cabin  John,  Md.,  and  St.  Elmo  and  Alexandria,  Va.  It  is  par- 
ticularly noticeable  on  the  last-mentioned  plant  from  its  habit  of  con- 
gregating on  the  terminal  leaves  and  flower  heads  and  about  the  stems 
of  the  pods. 

The  species  has  been  the  subject  of  considerable  study  by  different 
economic  writers,  including  Fitch,  who  has  given  it  extended  notice 
in  his  thirteenth  report  on  noxious  and  beneficial  insects  of  New  York 
(1869,  pp.  495-512).  and  Messrs.  Osborn  and  Sirrine  (Bui.  No.  23.  la. 
Agr.  Coll.  Expt.  Sta. ,  1893.  pp.  901-905).  In  the  article  last  cited,  which 
is  entitled  "Life  history  of  a  common  plant-louse  (Aphis  rumicis  L.)," 
a  good  account  of  the  life  cycle  of  the  species  is  given  as  observed 
at  Ames.  la.,  and,  as  this  locality  is  not  particularly  different,  zoo- 
logically and  geographically  speaking,  from  the  District  of  Columbia, 
no  special  study  has  been  given  the  species  by  the  writer. 

Wireworms. — Leguminous  crops  do  not  appear  to  be  much  affected 
by  wireworms.  No  doubt  the  insects  are  frequently  present,  but 
injury  is  seldom  apparent.  There  is  one,  however,  that  has  been 
identified  with  attack  on  bean.  This  is  a  common  species,  particu- 
larly southward,  and  known  as  Ifonocrepidius  vespertinus  Fab. 


110 


CL  C 

Fig.  27. — Monocrepiditis  vespertinus:  a.  larva, 
side  view;  b,  larva,  dorsal  view:  c,  beetle- 
all  three  times  natural  size  (original). 


Numerous  individuals  of  this  click-beetle  were  observed  by  the 
writer  during  the  first  two  weeks  of  July  at  Colonial  Beach,  Va.  (which 
is  about  45  miles  south  of  Washington,  D.  C),  in  beds  of  beans  where 
no  other  plants  grew.  Search  was  made  for  the  larvae,  but  it  was  evi- 
dently not  the  season  for  them,  as  none  were  found.     There  can  be 

no  doubt  of  their  infesting  beans,  as 
at  this  time  the  species  in  question 
was  the  most  abundant  of  all  insects 
observed  in  that  field.  The  larva  and 
beetle  are  shown  in  figure  27. 

NOTES  ON  FLEA-BEETLES. 

Among  other  injurious  forms  of 
insect  life  that  were  noticeable  by 
their  numbers  during  the  season  of 
1900,  flea-beetles  of  several  species 
occupied  an  important  place.  Some 
of  the  injurious  forms  which  were 
attached  to  special  plants  and  some  of 
the  more  striking  instances  of  injury 
by  species  of  omnivorous  tendencies  will  be  mentioned  in  connection 
with  other  observations  that  were  made  concerning  them.  During 
1901  some  species  were  injurious,  but.  as  a  rule,  not  so  abundant  and 
troublesome  as  in  the  preceding  year. 

The  Pale-striped  Flea-beetle  (Systena  ftlanda  Mels.). — The  pale-striped 
flea-beetle  was  one  of  the  most  abundant  and  troublesome  forms  dur- 
ing the  year  1900.  In  the  latter  half  of  May  and  early  June  it  was 
noticed  by  the  writer  and  others  in  greater  abundance  in  Maryland 
and  Virginia  near  Washington  than  in  any  previous  year,  and  was 
concerned  in  inj  iry  to  beans  in  several  localities.  It  was  reported  to 
be  troublesome  to  the  same  crop  at  Woodside.  Md.,  and  St.  Elmo.  Va., 
by  Messrs.  Olds  and  Pratt  of  this  Department,  respectivelv.  The  lat- 
ter reported  that  during  June  it  did  great  damage  to  pole  and  bush 
Lima  beans,  while  the  ordinary  field  or  garden  beans  were  scarcely 
touched.  In  some  cases  replanting  was  necessary.  The  occurrence 
of  the  beetles  in  considerable  numbers  on  other  cultivated  plants  as 
well  as  upon  weeds  was  noticed,  but  damage  was  observable  only  to 
beans  in  the  localities  mentioned.  Beets  were  also  the  subject  of  attack, 
as  observed  by  the  writer,  and  reports  of  injury  to  beets  reached  us 
from  different  regions.  This  crop,  however,  was  not  severely  injured, 
the  beetles  seeming  to  prefer  the  leaves  of  bean  when  they  were 
obtainable  to  any  other  food  crop.  In  other  more  distant  localities  it 
will  be  noticed  that  beans  and  peas  were  also  much  injured  and  beets 
suffered  considerably  in  Michigan  and  Colorado,  as  reported. 

June  18,  1900,  we  received  specimens  of  this  species  together  with 


Ill 

S.  hudsonias,  with  report  that  they  were  injurious  to  pole  beans,  as 
will  be  mentioned  more  in  detail  in  consideration  of  the  latter  species, 
at  Milo  Center.  Yates  County.  N.  Y. 

Mr.  Edward  C.  Post.  Dundee.  Mich.,  who  sent  specimens  of  this 
beetle  in  1889  from  Monroe.  Mich.,  wrote  June  21,1900,  transmitting 
specimens  taken  from  four  different  fields  of  sugar  beet  some  5  miles 
apart  and  about  18  miles  from  Monroe.  In  two  of  these  fields  the 
beetles  did  considerable  damage. 

August  8,  1900,  Mr.  Carroll  Fowler,  of  the  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment station.  University  of  California,  at  Berkeley.  CaL.  sent  speci- 
mens of  this  beetle  with  the  information  that  they  had  been  received 
from  Mr.  W.  Winterhalter.  Rockyford.  Colo.,  where  they  were  do- 
ing considerable  damage  to  sugar  beet.  Mr.  Winterhalter  describes 
the  work  of  this  beetle  as  follow-: 

It  bores  the  leaves  from  the  upper  side,  borine  regular  hole?  clear  through  the 
{eaves,  ami.  as  it  appears  in  swarms  of  millions,  it  practically  kills  the  plants  which 
are  two  or  three  weeks  above  the  ground.  These  flies  have  destroyed  quite  a  few 
acres  in  our  Pueblo  district.  They  are  doing  likewise  with  eockleburs.  sand  burs, 
and  other  weeds.  The  beets  are  badly  injured  and  their  growth  is  checked  con- 
siderably, but  this  fly  is  t<>,>  small  to  destroy  old  plants  completely.  The  specimens 
Were  collected  June  19.  1900. 

During  the  summer  of  1899  imagos  were  reared  July  22  and  23. 
In  1900  imagos  of  the  new  generation  were  observed  August  25,  over 
a  month  later. 

May  18,  1901,  Mr.  W.  J.  Langston.  Sixmile.  Ala.,  sent  specimens 
cf  beetles  and  cotton  leaves,  the  latter  showing  severe  injury  by  this 
insect.     The  beetles  had  been  seen  at  work  only  two  days. 

May  21,  Mr.  B.  M.  Moose,  also  sent  >pecimens  with  leaves  of 
cotton  -bowing  similar  injury.  He  stated  that  the  beetles  were  very 
numerous  on  his  farm  at  Simpsonville.  S.  C.,  having  made  their 
appearance  two  days  earlier.     Beets  were  also  injured. 

June  20,  Mr.  A.  L.  Beals.  Deming.  Ind..  sent  numerous  specimens 
of  this  beetle  with  report  that,  although  the  species  had  been  in  his 
garden  only  about  three  days,  it  had  done  great  damage,  especially  to 
radish,  beet.  bean,  melon,  and  cucumber. 

The  Red-headed  Flea-beetle  (Systena  frontalis  Fab.). — One  of  the 
injurious  occurrences  of  the  year  1899  was  that  of  the  so-called  red- 
headed flea-beetle.  Systena  frontalis  Fab.,  at  Syracuse.  X.  Y..  reported 
by  Smiths  £  Powell  Company.  August  3.  as  injurious  to  sugar  beet. 
Although  this  is  the  only  case  of  damage  reported  from  there  during 
that  year,  it  is  possible  that  there  was  an  outbreak  of  the  species  in 
that  portion  of  the  United  States  and  perhaps  Canada,  as  this  insect  is 
known  to  be  periodically  troublesome  in  that  latitude. 

Systena  frontalis  was  first  reported  by  Mr.  William  Saunders  as 
injurious  in  the  year  1882  (Can.  Ent..  Vol.  XIV.  p.  1-iT:  13th  Kept. 


112 

Ent.  Soc.  Ont.  for  1882  [1883].  p.  10),  having  been  noticed  at  Oakville, 
Ontario.  Canada,  where  it  was  damaging  the  leaves  of  grape.  The 
beetles  were  described  as  being  very  abundant  and  destructive,  eating 
the  green  tissue  of  leaves  on  the  upper  side,  causing  them  to  wither. 
After  a  lapse  of  rive  years  this  species  was  observed,  together  with 
S.  blanda,  attacking  potato  at  Wea,  Ind.  (Webster,  Rept.  Dept. 
Agr.,  1SST.  p.  151)^  and  was  again  troublesome  in  Canada,  this  time 
as  a  pest  in  the  shrubbery  and  on  the  seed  beds  of  the  botanical  gar- 
den of  the  experimental  farm  at  Ottawa  (reported  by  Dr.  James 
Fletcher,  in  his  report  as  entomologist  and  botanist  of  the  Dominion 
of  Canada  for  1889  [1890].  pp.  87,  88).  Young  plants  and  low  shrubs 
of  a  great  many  botanical  orders  were  attacked,  ravages  being  par- 
ticularly noticeable  upon  some  species  of  Althaea,  Hibiscus,  and 
Weigelia.  as  also  upon  young  grape  vines.  Injury  was  all  done  by 
the  perfect  beetles,  few  plants  appearing  to  come  amiss  to  them. 

In  1891  we  received  specimens,  August  11,  from 
Smiths  &  Powell  Company,  Syracuse,  N.  Y..  with 
the  information  that  the  beetles  were  doing  damage 
to  pear  by  eating  the  soft  leaves.  A  remedy  was 
requested,  as  it  was  feared  that,  if  the  beetles  were 
left  undisturbed,  that  they  would  become  a  nuisance 
(Insect  Life,  Vol.  IV,  p.  135). 

The  same  year  we  reported  this  insect  as  feeding 
upon    beet  leaves  at   Lincoln,  Nebr.,  and  on  the 
leaves  of  Hibiscus  militaris  at  Westpoint,  Nebr.,  at 
fig.  2;  -Systma  jrcnta-     which  places  the  insect  was  observed  by  Mr.  Law- 
much     enlarged     rence    Bruner  in  189o  (Bui.   23  [old  series].  Div. 

(original). 

Ent..  1891,  p.  15). 

The  writer  has  been  familiar  with  this  species  for  a  great  many 
years,  having  first  observed  it  at  Ithaca.  N.  Y..  in  company  with  the 
commoner  but  less  troublesome  Systena  hudsonias,  on  smartweed, 
pigweed  (Chenopodium  album),  and  other  weeds  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember (Proe.  Ent.  Soc.  Wash„  Vol.  II,  p.  266). 

In  the  late  Dr.  Lintner's  report  as  State  entomologist  of  New  York 
for  1892  (p.  313),  he  records  the  occurrence  of  this  Chrysomelid  in 
injurious  numbers  on  the  foliage  of  gooseberry  at  Geneva.  N.  Y., 
during  the  latter  part  of  July  and  early  August  of  that  year. 

In  1893  this  ilea- beetle  was  again  troublesome  in  Canada,  and  was 
mentioned  by  Dr.  Fletcher  in  his  report  for  that  year  (1891,  p.  28). 
It  attacked  a  great  variety  of  plants,  including  potato,  horse  bean, 
many  kinds  of  deciduous  shrubs,  and  young  grapevines,  having  been 
especially  injurious  to  grape  at  Ottawa.  Its  attacks  were  worse  on 
those  varieties  which  belonged  to  the  thin-leaved  grapes  derived  from 
Vitis  riparia,  the  greatest  damage  having  been  done  to  young  seed- 
lings which  were  not  trained  on  trellises  and  which  had  not  been 
sprayed  with  fungicides. 


113 

In  1896  Mr.  W.  S.  Blatchley  mentioned  this  flea-beetle  in  connec- 
tion with  its  occurrence  at  Indianapolis.  Ind..  stating  that  it  occurred 
commonly  in  June  on  the  leaves  of  the  great  ragweed,  Ambrosia  trl- 
ri 'l<i.  and  that  it  had  once  been  taken  under  bark  in  February  (Psyche, 
Vol.  VII,  p.  437). 

In  1900  Messrs.  Forbes  and  Hart  (Bui.  60,  Univ.  111.  Agr.  Exp. 
Station.  1900,  p.  4<'»s)  made  brief  mention  of  this  species  as  an  enemy 
of  the  sugar  beet,  introducing  an  original  illustration  of  the  adult. 

The  red-headed  flea-beetle,  a-  it-  scientific  name  shows,  is  congeneric 
with  the  pale-striped  flea-beetle  (Systena  blanda),  which  has  been 
treated  in  preceding  pages  and  more  in  detail  in  an  article  by  the 
writer  in  Bulletin  No.  23  of  the  present  series  (pp.  '2'2-'2V).  It  is  of 
very  similar  form,  a  little  more  elongate  and  considerably  larger,  and 
differs,  moreover,  in  being  shining  black  throughout,  except  for  the 
greater  portion  of  the  head,  which  is  red.  It  is  not  likely  to  be  con- 
fused with  any  other  flea-beetle,  and  is  nearest  related  to  Syst<:na 
hudsonias,  which  i-  entirely  black  and  a  little  smaller.  Apart  from 
the  color  of  the  head,  frontalis  may  also  be  distinguished  from  hud- 
8onia3  by  its  somewhat  broader  form,  the  elytral  punctation  being 
If--  coarse,  but  rather  more  dense.  It  is  shown  five  times  enlarged  at 
figure  28.     The  immature  stages  seem  not  to  have  been  recognized. 

The  habitat  of  this  species  has  been  outlined  by  Mr.  H.  F.  Wickham 
so  as  to  include  the  entire  region  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  (Proc. 
Davenport  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  1896,  p.  162).  From  a  statement  made  by 
Dr.  Horn  concerning  it  (Trans.  Amer.  Ent.  Soc.,  Vol.  XVI,  L889,  p. 
270),  it  might  be  inferred  that  its  range  extends  from  the  Canadian 
region  to  the  Southern  States.  Judging  from  reports  of  injury  this 
species  may  be  said  to  be  a  Transition  form,  extending  southward 
through  the  Upper  into  the  Lower  Austral  region.  The  list  of  local- 
ities in  which  it  is  known  to  occur  include-:  Vermont;  Springfield, 
Mass.;  Buffalo,  Ithaca.  Syracuse.  Geneva,  and  New  York.  X.  Y. :  New 
Jersey,  generally  distributed  (Smith):  Iowa  City.  Iowa:  Michigan: 
Westpoint  and  Lincoln.  Nebr.;  Columbus,  Tex.  (June  16);  Florida: 
Ottawa  and  Oakville.  Ontario.  Canada. 

The  Smartweed  Flea-beetle  (Systena  kudsontasYorst. ). — July  26, 1899, 
Mr.  George  G.  Atwood,  Geneva.  N.  Y..  transmitted  specimens  of  this 
flea-beetle  with  the  report  that  it  was  destructive  to  sugar  beet  in  that 
vicinity.  There  is  an  earlier  unpublished  Divisional  record  of  attack 
made  to  this  office  May  '2d.  1896,  by  Mr.  B.  F.  Ferris,  Sunman,  Ind.. 
who  sent  beetles  with  S.  hlanda,  and  the  report  that  they  were  injur- 
ing corn  in  his  neighborhood.  It  is  only  in  recent  years  that  this 
specie-  has  attracted  any  attention  as  a  pest,  the  first  record  of  injury 
known  to  the  writer  having  been  published  in  1887  (Report  Dept. 
Agr..  1887.  p.  151).  In  that  year  Mr.  F.  M.  Webster  observed  dam- 
age by  this  insect  to  potato  at  Wea,  Ind..  attack  being  shared,  as  in  the 
^3v»87-Xo.  33—02 8 


114 

preceding  case,  with  S.  blanda.  August  IT  1892,  we  received  from 
Mr.  Geo.  Lamoreux.  North  Hector.  X.  Y..  specimens  of  this  beetle, 
with  the  statement  that  it  fed  on  the  leaves  of  grape  and  was  noticed 
also  on  potato  tops  and  on  Canada  thistle.  June  18,  1900,  we  again 
received  specimens  of  beetles  together  with  X.  blanda^ith  report  that 
they  were  injurious  to  several  acres  of  white  pole  beans  at  Milo  Center. 
N.  Y.  Our  correspondent,  Mr.  A.  H.  Anslev,  stated  that  nearly  one- 
fourth  of  the  plants  above  ground  at  the  time  of  writing  were  riddled 
by  the  insects.  Attack  was  first  noticed  June  16,  when  only  an  occa- 
sional plant  was  being  eaten,  but  at  the  date  of  writing  many  more 
of  the  beetles  were  seen,  and  the  first  plants  infested  were  dried  and 
crisp  except  a  young  center  leaf  just  budding  out.  Sweet  corn  and 
other  plants  in  the  vicinity  appeared  to  be  exempt  from  attack. 

This  flea-beetle  is  shining  black  throughout  and  ma}'  be  distin- 
guished from  frontalis^  to  which  it  is  nearly  allied,  by  the  characters 
given  in  the  consideration  of  that  species  (tig.  28). 

According  to  Horn,  the  distribution  of  S.  frontalis  in  the  United 
States  extends  "over  the  entire  region  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.'' 

Early  in  the  past  decade  the  writer  had  occasion  to  observe  this  nea- 
beetle  in  great  numbers  at  work  on  a  variety  of  weeds  growing  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  From  an  account  published  in 
the  Proceedings  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Washington  in  June. 
1802  (Vol.  II.  p.  266),  the  following  list  of  observed  food  plants  of  the 
beetles  with  other  notes  is  taken: 

Smartweed  {Polygonum  hydropiper),  dock  {Rumex  spp.),  daisy  [Chrysanthemum 
leucqnthemum  \,  flea-bane  {Erigeron  canadensis  and philadelphicus) ,  plantain  (Plantago 
major  and  lanceolata),  ragweed  {Ambrosia  artemisisefolia  and  trifida),  golden  rod  {Soli- 
dago  sj>p.  i,  catnip  {Nepeta  cataria  i.  Brunella  vulgaris,  and  specie*  of  vervain  ( Vrrbena 
spp.)-  When  found  upon  the  smartweed  the  little  insects  had  riddled  the  leaves 
with  holes.  On  dock  they  were  also  numerous.  They  choose  by  preference  the  ten- 
derest  leaves  of  young  plants,  those  of  only  a  few  days'  growth  heing  frequently 
attacked,  hut  they  infest  as  well  plants  that  are  more  mature.  Their  work  varies 
according  to  the  plant  attacked,  hut  in  general  they  eat  out  little  holes  here  and  there 
after  the  manner  of  other  flea-beetles.  On  warm  days  they  are  quite  active  and  vora- 
cious. The  beetles  abound  throughout  the  summer  months  and  occur  on  a  number 
of  other  weeds,  particularly  of  the  Composite?,  besides  those  mentioned. 

This  species  is  given  brief  consideration  by  Messrs.  Forbes  and 
Hart  (Bui.  bo.  Univ.  111.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  1900.  p.  467),  reference  to 
its  occurrence  on  sugar  beet  at  Urbana,  111.,  and  in  New  York  being 
noted.  An  original  illustration  of  the  adult  is  also  furnished.  The 
name  of  smartweed  flea-beetle  has  been  proposed,  and  this  name  has 
been  adopted  in  the  present  article. 

The  Toothed  Flea-beetle  (Chaetocnema  dentieulata  111.).— This  insect 
occurred  in  unusual  numbers  in  1900,  making  its  first  appearance 
during  the  lirst  week  of  April  on  grasses.  May  11  die  writer's  atten- 
tion was  called  to  the  work  of  the  beetles  on   sweet  corn  near  Cabin 


115 

John.  Md.,  and  a  visit  to  the  infested  garden  showed  that  the  plants, 
which  were  only  from  an  inch  to  2  or  3  inches  in  height,  were  very 
badly  infested.  A  dozen  or  more  beetles  were  often  found  on  a  single 
plant,  many  in  coptda,  and  sometimes  so  many  would  be  crowded  into 
a  single  rolled  blade  as  to  make  the  interior  look  black.  This  was  the 
third  planting  of  corn  which  had  been  made  in  this  plat. 

It  was  not  possible  to  make  a  second  visit  to  this  garden  until  about 
a  month  later,  and  then  the  beetles  had  practically  disappeared.  Little 
additional  injury  had  been  done,  and  it  seems  probable  that  the  beetles 
left  the  plants  within  a  week  after  their  first  being  noticed. 

Search  was  made  for  the  larvae  at  the  roots  of  corn  and  grasses,  but 
without  success. 

Earlier  mention  of  this  species  and  its  attack  upon  millet  and  allied 
grasses  was  made  by  the  writer  in  Bulletins  i>  (n.  s..  p.  22)  and  IT  (p.  85). 

It  has  also  been  mentioned  by  different  writers  as  an  enemy  to  corn 
and  to  beets.  On  the  former  plant  it  sometimes  occurs  in  abundance, 
and  does  conspicuous  injury  by  making  minute 
holes  or  elongate  slits  and  white  streaks  on  the 
leaves.  It  has  been  found  injuring  beets  to  some 
noticeable  extent  in  Nebraska  and  Illinois,  and  in 
the  latter  State,  according  to  Forbes  and  Hart 
(Bui.  60,  Univ.  111.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta..  1900,  p. 
±66),  it  has  been  noticed  in  abundance  on  coarse 
grasses  near  Elizabeth.  111.  Like  most  of  the 
Chrysomelidae,  it  hibernates  as  an  adult,  and  e^s 
have  been  obtained  early  in  July.  Otherwise  its 
life  history  appears  to  be  unknown.  fig.  29.— chaetocnema  puti- 

This  flea-beetle  resembles  the    species   which       ZT' '^-i^ *««» 

r  m  line  fit  right  (original). 

will  next  be  figured,  and  with  which  it  is  con- 
generic  in  general  structure  as  well  as  in  habits.     It  is,  however, 
much  larger,  measuring  fully  twice  as  long,  or  about  one-tenth  of  an 
inch,  is  more  robust,  somewhat  irregularly  oval,  and  the  entire  surface 
is  uniformly  brightly  bronzed  and  slightly  brassy. 

It  is  broadly  distributed  from  the  New  England  States  southward  to 
Florida  and  Texas  and  westward  to  California.  It  apparently  occurs 
nearly  everywhere  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  westward  has 
also  been  recorded  from  Utah  and  Montana. 

The  Brassy  Flea-beetle  (Chaetocnema  pulicaria  Mels,). — Injury  to 
sweet  corn  by  the  toothed  flea-beetle,  as  above  reported,  was  compli- 
cated b}T  the  presence  of  this  second  species,  which,  however,  occurred 
in  much  smaller  numbers. 

This  species  (fig.  29)  is  the  more  abundant  of  the  two  in  most  locali- 
ties, and  considerably  smaller.  -It  is  probable  that  it  is  usually  the 
cause  of  the  trouble  attributed  to  it.  This  flea-beetle  measures  less 
than  one-twentieth  of  an  inch,  and  is  of  oval,  slightly  oblong,  convex 


116 

form,  with  shining  surf  ace,  having  a  faint  greenish-bronze  luster.  The 
legs  arc  usually  brownish  testaceous,  but  somewhat  variable.  rl  ne 
thorax  is  nearly  opaque,  i.  e.,  it  bears  little  trace  of  polish. 

It  is  known  to  occur  in  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia.  District 
of  Columbia,  North  Carolina,  Texas,  and  Colorado. 

The  Spinach  Flea-beetle  (Diswiycha  xanthmielaena  Dalm.). — This 
species  occurred  in  greater  abundance  during  the  spring  of  1900  than 
in  previous  years  when  it  was  under  observation,  and  was  found  during 
the  latter  days  of  May  and  the  first  part  of  June  to  have  attacked  and 
practically  destroyed,  while  in  the  larval  condition,  whole  rows  of 
beets.  The  beets  in  one  instance  were  not  otherwise  in  condition, 
but  other  cause  of  injury  was  not  observable.  This  appears  to  be  the 
first  instance  of  observed  injury  by  this  insect  in  the  East.  Observa- 
tions subsequently  made  showed  that  beets  wTere  generally  affected  in 
this  vicinity  by  this  insect,  injury  being  due  both  to  adults  and  larva*. 
A  new  genus  of  food  plants  was  observed  during  the  year,  as  also  a 
new  insect  enemy  of  this  flea-beetle. 

It  was  noticed  of  the  full-grown  larvae  that  had  fed  upon  beets  that 
all  were  of  a  brilliant  purple  hue  never  before  seen  in  this  species  in 
its  occurrence  on  its  wild  (green)  food  plants. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  a  visit  to  Brookland,  D.  C,  June  18,  very 
noticeable  injury  was  observed  to  beets,  particularly  on  the  edges  of 
fields  near  weeds.  Many  plants,  it  was  obvious  at  this  time,  would 
produce  no  taproots,  and  examination  of  numbers  of  them  showed 
that  this  portion  of  the  plant  was  entirely  undeveloped.  The  owner 
of  one  of  these  gardens,  Mr.  E.  Heitmuller,  was  informed  of  the 
injury  and  he  stated  to  the  writer  that  he  w^as  quite  familiar  with  the 
insect  and  its  work,  and  said  that  at  least  an  acre  of  seed  beets  had  been 
totally  destroyed  for  him  the  previous  year.  He  also  stated  that  the 
pests  went  below  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  attacked  the  roots. 
Upon  digging  about  the  infested  plants  larvae  and  beetles  were  found, 
as  well  as  upon  the  foliage,  and  this  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  day 
was  very  dark,  the  sun  not  having  been  visible  for  about  two  hours. 
There  seems  to  be  no  doubt  whatever  that  our  informant  is  correct  in 
his  conclusions.  Both  larvae  and  beetles,  at  times  if  not  habitually, 
conceal  themselves  in  the  earth  about  the  plants.  It  has  already  been 
shown  that  the  larva?  travel  very  slowly,  and  hence  after  devouring 
the  leaves  of  one  bunch  of  plants  they  attack  the  roots  instead  of 
migrating  to  other  plants,  a  feat  which  they  are  nearly  incapable  of 
performing. 

In  instances  of  insect  attack  to  beets  which  have  come  under  notice, 
this  species  has  been  associated  with  -he  twelve-spotted  cucumber 
beetle,  Diabrotica  12-punctata,  and  the  pale-striped  flea-beetle,  Systt  na 
ftlanda,  both  of  which  feed  more  freely  exposed  than  the  Disonycha 
larvae  and  beetles,  and  would  attract  attention  when  the  others  woulc 


117 


be  apt  to  be  missed.  The  cucumber  beetle  mentioned  cuts  holes  of  the 
same  character  in  the  leaves,  and  can  be  seen  in  broad  davlifirht  feed- 
ing  on  the  upper  surface.  The  pale-striped  flea-beetle  also  feeds 
freely  on  the  upper  surface,  while  the  beetles  of  Disonycha  are  gener- 
ally found  under  the  plants  on  the  ground  during  the  heat  of  the  day 
and  usually  drop  off  the  plants  at  the  first  sign  of  disturbance.  At 
other  times,  the  larvae  on  the  under  surface  of  the  leaves  would  not  be 
noticed  by  the  average  observer.  It  will  thus  readily  be  seen  that  the 
year  1900  was  not  necessarily  an  exceptional  one  as  regards  attack  by 
this  flea-beetle  in  the  East,  as  much  of  the  injury  that  has  been  attrib- 
uted to  other  species  mentioned  may  often 
in  reality  be  due,  at  least  partially,  to  the 
spinach  flea-beetle. 

August  10,  1900,  the  writer  observed  nu- 
merous beetles  of  this  species,  dead  and 
living,  under  plants  of  saltbush  belonging  to 
different  species  of  Atriplex,  growing  on 
the  experimental  plats  on  the  Department 
grounds.  Under  these  plants  the  ground 
was  fairly  strewn  withlivingand  dead  beetles, 
and  larvae  were  found,  though  somewhat 
sparingly  at  this  time,  on  the  foliage.  The 
species  of  Atriplex  upon  which  this  flea-beetle  was  observed  include  A. 
semibaccatum,  A.  holocarpa,  A.  velutinella,  and  an  undetermined 
form — all  cultivated  varieties,  and  useful  as  forage  plants. 

Numerous  nymphs  of  the  wheel  bug  (Prion? Jus  cristatubs)  were 
observed  during  the  early  part  of  June  on  beets  infested  with  this 
flea-beetle.  Such  as  were  seen  feeding  had  the  larva1  of  the  beetle 
impaled  on  their  beaks. 

The  Eggplant  Flea-beetle  (Epitrix  fuscula  Cr.). — Injury  by  this  flea- 
beetle  (fig.  30)  which  has  been  treated  somewhat  fully  in  Bulletin  19, 
n.  s.  (pp.  87-89),  was  very  serious  to  early  potatoes  near  Cabin  John, 
Md.,  in  1900.  When  the  infested  fields  were  visited  May  14,  every 
plant  was  seen  to  be  covered  with  the  beetles.  They  were  described 
to  the  writer  as  having  burrowed  beneath  the  surface  of  the  earth  in 
search  of  the  potato  sprouts. 

The  common  cucumber  flea-beetle,  Epitrix  mcumeris,  occurred  upon 
the  same  plants  in  less  numbers,  as  did  also  the  Colorado  potato  beetle, 
D(Yi%yphova  10-lineata.  Injury  was  also  due  in  part  to  cutworms,  and 
to  extreme  heat  and  drought,  which  had  lasted  for  several  days. 


Fig.  30.— Epitrix  fuscula,  greatly 
enlarged  (original). 


o 


i 


W 


ENCE  UBRARH  WARSTON  SCIENCE  LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  FLORIDA 


3    1262    05252    3585 


wmm 


MARSTON  SCIENCE  LIBRARY 


Date 

Due 

Due 

Returned 

Due 

Returned 

FES23I995 

dtP  2  5    1996     ! 

9b 

